


ii 



Class . __4_ 



GopightlJ". 



£.-tf»ay 2- 



^; 



COFKRICHT DEPOSm 




^W(WWVV^i X.*\"«W«VVO^tT<V«-' 




tM^l 



MRS. EDMUND NORMAN LESLIE. 

Died March .5, 1890, aged sixty-three years. 

The Perfection of a Loving and Devoted Wife for Forty-five Years. 



SKANHATELES 



HISTORY OF ITS EARLIEST SETTLEMENT 



RLMIN'ISCENCES OE LATER TIMES 



DISCONNECTHD SKETCHES OF THE EARLIEST SETTLEMENT Ol- THIS 
TOWN AND VILLAGE, NOT CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED, TOGETHER 
WITH ITS GRADUAL AND PROGRESSIVE ADVANCEMENT IN BUSINESS 
PROSPERITY AND HIGHER EDUCATION. WITH NOTES (tP THE INDI- 
VIDUALITY OF PROMINENT CITIZENS 



BY 
EDMUND NORMAN l.hSl.lh 

iJOKRESPONDrSG MFMBCR Ot THE MARVLAKn MISVOKICAL SOCltl Y 



pR£SS OF Andrew H. Killoog 
New York 



'Sail 



THE LIBRARY OF 

CONGRESS, 
Two Cor.,€S HeCEWEO 

AUG. 27 1902 

Ortev^iOMT CNTffv 

CLASS CC XXc. No. 

f L i 

COPY A. 



Copyright, iqoi, by 
EDMUND NORMAN I.HSLIF, 



CONTENTS. 



I' ACE. 

.IXUKN TO ILLUSTR.MIONS xvii 



PREF.\CI- 



CHAPTER I. 

The Earliest History 



The earliest known history of the lands comprising the town of Skaneateles. 
These lands were allotted by law to the soldiers of the Revolutionary War. Detailed 
explanation of what were known as the ■ .Military Lots." Portions of the land of 
the State of New York were surveyed into townships. Each township was ten 
miles square, and contained one hundred Military Lots. The town of Skaneateles 
was not an original township. A portion of the original township of Marcellus, 
consisting of thirty-nine Military Lots, was laid ofT to establish this town of 
Skaneateles. How each soldier became the owner of a Military Lot. The names 
of the Revolutionary soldiers who were the original owners of all the lands com- 
prising the town of Skaneateles. A comparison of the limited age of this town with 
past ages, during wliirh tlu>f I.mds have existed unknown to the nations of the 
civilized world. 



CHAPTER IL 
How THE Pioneers Came 



Their hardships. The difficulties of keeping fire on the hearth. A description 
of the original tinder-box. How it was used to originate fire. The first friction- 
matches, which were introduced in the year 1827. Tallow dips were an early luxury. 
Next were introduced the whale-oil lamps. Account-books of early merchants. 
Explanation of the common currency first used after the Revolutionary War. Its 
legal tender character was. by Act of Congress of 1795, enacted to be the divisions 
of the Spanish milled dollar: Halves, Quarters. Eighths, and Sixteenths. This legal 
tender character of the Spanish coin continued until the Act of Congress passed in 
the year 1855 repealed the Act of 1795. Since the year 1855 no Spanish coin has been 
in circulation as legal tender. An old one-cent piece. The pioneer's life. " Bees." 
Log houses, log barns, and log schoolhouscs. The early missionaries held their 
religious services in the barns and schoolhouscs. The women of those early days 
deserve especial notice. They hatchcled all the flax, spun all the linen thread, spun 
all the wool, wove all the tow cloth, knit all the stockings of the household, made 
all the clothing of the pioneers, did all the cooking, tended to garden to supply the 



viii COh'TENTS. 

I-AGE. 

table with vegetables, together with some flowers to beautify their home, and did all 
the other household work, which was continuous from daylight to the hours of needed 
rest late at night. 

CHAPTER III. 

Early Pioneers '. n 

Pioneers who came within the first twenty years. The first actual original 
settler in this town was Abraham A. Cuddeback. John Thompson was not a resident 
settler until 1810; proof shown of this fact. Elijah Bowen, another very early settler; 
account of his family. His son Almeron was the first child born of parents who 
settled and lived in this town. The peculiar circumstances of his birth. • Bowen's 
home was headquarters for emigrating families. Benajah Bowen. David Kingsley. 
Amasa Smith. Winston Day. the first merchant in this town. Henry Root ; his 
recollections. Asa Mason. Nehemiah H. Earll ; his history, recollections, and obituary 
notice. Nathan Kelsey, the brickmaker who stamped his name on every brick. His 
bricks are often found in old large chimneys and ovens of this town. The Cuyken- 
dalls. The Van Ettens. David Welch. Samuel Welch, and his recollections. 
Benjamin Nye, who made the first bricks. Mrs. Nye's journey through the wilderness 
for assistance. Hezekiah Earll. Abijah Earll. Chester Par.sons. Silas Bush. 
Amos Pardee. 

CHAPTER I\'. 

Continuation of the History of the Pioneers 25 

Alanson Benson. Charles J. Burnett, Sr. Daniel Kellogg. Jedediah Sanger. 
Isaac Sherwood, together with the details of his contract with the Government for 
the transportation of the mails between Albany and Buffalo and intermediate places. 
Mrs. Cody, grandmother of Hiram Reed; her experience in the journey from Massa- 
chusetts on horseback to this town in the year 1800 through the forest. Copy of a 
bill of merchandise purchased at .Albany by a firm of early merchants of this town 
in the year 1806. William J. Vredenburg. A legend concerning a jug of gin. Who 
were here when Williain J. Vredenburg first came in the year 1803. Nathaniel 
Miller, who settled in the village in 1S07; his recollections. The interesting history 
of Amos Miner, an early inventor. Remarkable history of a journey through the 
forest in the year 1799 by John R. Kellogg. 

CH.XPTRR V. 

Moke Pioneers 52 

History of early settlers. Eli Clark. Elias Merrell. Alanson Edwards, Jr. 
S. Porter Rhoades and family history. Names and location of early settlers, farmers, 
and others who caine here before 1803. Another list of early settlers who caine here 
before 1815. Ministerial items. Old receipt for dressing deer skins. Daniel Briggs. 
John S. Furman and Alexander Bebee. Aaron Austin. Dorastus Lawrence. 
William Clift. Elijah Parsons. The town of Skaneateles. Hardships of the pioneers. 
"Through the Wilderness," a poem. John Legg. History of the Shepard 
family and the " Shepard Settlement." Recollections of Mrs. Charles J. Burnett, Sr. 
John Bristol. Abner Bates. Simeon Edwards. Solomon Williams. Samuel Briggs. 
Colonel Samuel Bellamy. Daniel McKay. Business men here in 1834. The First 
Cuddeback. 



CONTENTS. ix 

CHAPTER VI. 

FACE 

Interesting Sayings and Doings of Olben Times 70 

Samuel Edwards, an old resident, tells of olden times. Dr. Nels. Flink. Nate 
Bennett. Josh Wilkinson. Sol Foster. Frank Barker. Ives Parsons. Harrison 
B. Dodge, editor of the Skaneateles Democrat. The defeat of the dangerous 
•' Malby Bill " in the Legislature. Comparison of early real estate values in Syracuse 
and Skaneateles. James Sackett. Has Skaneateles retrograded? The first steam- 
boat on the Lake, "The Highland Chief." Rossville was in the year 1831 the name 
of the head of the lake. An old log tavern. Early business in Skaneateles. Early 
artists and their rudimcntal practise in painting the backs of the old style of sleighs. 
These artists were Elliott and Thayer. Winston Day and wife's sale of land to 
Freeborn G. Jewett. The Pettis House. The brother of Benedict Arnold, the 
traitor of Revolutionary notoriety, was once a resident in the village. Condensed 
fragments of early history. 

CHAPTER Vn. 

Miscellaneous Fragments of Early History 79 

The early merchants of the village. Daniel Talcott. Jonathan Weston. Moses 
Loss. James Turnure, the miller in 1828. Ezra & Benjamin. Ingham & Hccox. 
Isaac Sherwood. Colonel Warren Hecox. Letter from Lafayette Cuddcback on 
our first settler, Abraham A. Cuddeback. The Leonard family. Nathan Leonard's 
Inn. The first actual settler in this county. The first mail carried through Onondaga 
County in the years 1792-98. Old-time servants. Farmers' daughters. Daniel 
Kellogg's gardener. Description of the village in 1809. The Skaneateles Religious 
Society. First excitement among the early settlers; the mill-dam breaks. A forest 
on the lake-shore in 1796. Village plots. The original village lots, which were laid 
out by Judge Jedediah Sanger, were termed " Village plots on the north end of 
Skaneateles Lake." An order for bricks in 1814. John C. Noble, school teacher in 
1825. The original forests in this town. First roads laid out in the town. The first 
graveyard. This settlement (the site of the village) an attractive trading-place in 
early times. Subscription for Jonathan Weston, sexton of the old original church on 
the hill. The old colored man's plaint, in connection with William J. Vredenburg's 
experience as a judge. Home-made drays. The Hamilton and Skaneateles Turnpike. 
Wheel-head manufactory. Militia. Elections in 1836. Ezra Lee. William Clift. 
James Porter came here in 1797, and opened the first tavern in town. The early 
records. Old-time caterpillars, which destroyed the tree-leaves and garden vegetables 
in the year 1798. Cold summer in 1816. Open winter in 1823-24. Severe winter in 
1836. Water-lime. Division of Marcellus. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

E Cardiff Ciiant 

Full and complete history of this remarkable fraud. Skaneateles very much 
interested in viewing it. All the particulars of its discovery. Detailed opinions 
expressed of its authenticity by prominent professors of colleges, Egrypfologists. 
archeologists, archbishops, clergymen, physicians, and theorists of all degrees. " The 
Stone Man," a poem. Names of Syracuse speculators who finally purchased the big 



CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

fraud. The unfortunate error which was made in not allowing Professor Boynton 
• to purchase an interest in the giant. The owners made another mistake in not 
allowing P. T. Barnum to purchase an interest. The Cardiff Giant and the Indians. 
Early newspapers in Cayuga County. Charles Goodall, a former resident of this 
town; some particulars of his eventful life. Presentation to the Skaneateles Library 
Association. Old accounts. 



CH.^PTER IX. 

Early Reminiscences 

Celebration of Fourth of July in 1831. First Skaneateles newspaper: its adver- 



tisements. General Training Day. An affair of honor. First mail-carriers. Early 
history. A brother of Benedict Arnold. The dark day in 1806, when there was an 
eclipse of the sun. Incident of the War of 1812. Repulsing the British in 1812. 
British prisoners. Samuel Francis, Sr. History of the Edwards family in this town. 
Origin of the Doctors Porter family. Thaddeus Edwards. Alanson Edwards. 
Copy of a bill of goods purchased in the village in 1806. Celebration of Fourth of 
July, 1835. Stages and stage-drivers. Riding-horses. Mrs. Cody's remarkable 
journey. Full history of the original Skaneateles Library Company, organized 
March 2, 1806. List of subscribers. Merchants and mechanics here in 1828, who 
advertised in the first newspaper, Tlie Telegraph. James Sackett, a remarkable 
character in his time. Winston Day's sale of his village lot to Freeborn G. Jewett, 
in 1822. Charles J. Burnett's sale of three acres in what is now (1902) the center 
of the village, in 1820, for $250 to F. G. Jewett. Seth and James Hall, early carriage 
manufacturers. Skaneateles business men in 1830. 



CHAPTER X. 

Early Burial-Places and General History 131 

Earliest burial-places in this town. The second burial-place. The Mottville 
burying-ground. The succeeding burial-ground in the village of Skaneateles. Vari- 
ous items of early history. Phares Gould. Dr. Samuel Benedict. Names of the 
vestry of St. James' Church in 1816. Vestry of St. James' Church in 1824. Business 
men in the village in 1841. \ sensational burglary in Skaneateles. Archibald Farr. 
Chester Parsons. Daniel Kellogg. Jr. Captain Benjamin Lee. Sea letter by George 
Washington. Captain Nash De Cost. Reuel Smith. The Three Sisters. William 
Fuller. History of the John Lcgg village lot. 



CHAPTER XI. 

The Potashery and Other Manufactures 144 

Winston Day's potashery and distillery in the village before 1816. Joseph Tallcot. 
Nicholas J. Roosevelt. First steamboat trials. Archibald Douglass. William G. 
Ellery. Daniel T. Moseley. Augustus Kellogg. Dr. John Snook. Dyer Brainerd. 
Charles B. Isbell. Joel Thayer. Dorastus Kellogg. John Kellogg. William M. 
Beauchamp. Richard Talcott. Captain Rishworth Mason. John Legg. Merchants 
in 1813. Peter Thompson. Taverns. Philo Dibble. William H. Jewett. Obadiah 
Thome. Thome Hill. William H. Pattison. Dr. Charles F. Merrill. Ezckiel B. 



CONTENTS. xi 

PAGE. 

Iliiyt. Gcorgi; F. U-ilcli. I"recl.orn G. Jcwett, Sr. Spencer Hanniim. The Dic- 
feiidorphs in llie town. James Cannings Fuller. Edward B. Coc. Abner Lawton. 
Edwin Osborne Gould. A traveler's visit to Skaneateles in 1811, while on his way 
to Niagara, with description of the village. Description of Skaneateles in 1830. 
Skaneateles Lake. Early recollections of Thaddeus Edwards, in his boyhood days, 
1810. The Packwood carriage manufactory. The " Shcpard Settlement." 



CM.\PTER XII. 
The First Industries in Tow.x and Villale, Cu.m.mencuvg with the V'iu,- 



.\ retrospect of past business of both town and village. Industries in the 
village. Industries in the to%vn of Skaneateles outside of the village. Mabbitt's 
mills. Industries at Mottville. Below Mottville— Long Bridge. Hart lot. The rise 
and fall of mercantile and industrial prosperity in both town and village. The earliest 
industry in this town. .-\n incident during the War of 1812. Community Place and 
John A. Collins. Early prices. The sign of the Indian Queen Tavern. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



;ainst "Protracted Meetings/' and Other Reminiscences. 



Report of the proceedings of a public meeting, held February 15, 1832, at the 
Indian Queen House of Isaac W. Perry, in the village of Skaneateles. An address to 
the public, with the signatures of prominent citizens, published in an extra of the 
Skaneateles Columbian. Daniel Webster's visit to Skaneateles in May, 1825. Gen- 
eral Lafayette's visit to Skaneateles in 1824.. while on his return to New York from 
a visit through the Western States. The great fire which occurred in the village of 
Skaneateles in 1835. Buildings destroyed, losses, and sufferers. Notice of an appli- 
cation to the Legislature for the passage of a law to prevent the erection of frame 
buildings in certain parts of the village. Sir James Nurse, a remarkable Skaneateles 
fraud. Copperplate engraving of the village seventy-two years ago (1830), together 
with a description of both town and village, and an enlarged folding illustration, 
rnlcrcsting items. 



CHAPTER XI\-. 

Earlv Mercha.nts 194 

Briggs & Hall. Hall & Pynchon. Richard Tallcot. R. Tallcot & Co. C. W. 
Allis & Co. Allis & Morgan. Allis, Moses & Hu.xtablc. Allis. Rhoades & Hall. 
Morgan & Daniels. J. Gurdon Porter. Wolcott & Porter. Hall, Porter & Co. 
Butler S. Wolcott. B. S. Wolcott & Co. Phares Gould. Spencer Parsons. Parsons 
& Rust. Stephen Horton. Jonathan Booth. Booth & Ingham. Booth & Horlon. 
Gibbs & Horton. S. Horton & Co. N. Hawley & Co. Nelson Hawlcy. George P. 
Morgan. Edward G. Ludlow. John Meeker. Charles J. Burnett, Jr. Rhoades & 
Burnett. S. Porter Rhoades. William G. Slade. Charles Pardee. Porter & Pardee. 
C. Pardee & Co. Isom & Hall. E. Pardee & Co. Aaron Brinkerhoff. Brinkerhoff 
& Willetts. Brinkerhoff & Porter. Jonathan Booth. John Meeker. George Francis. 
Phares Gould. Rev. .\. C. Patterson. Jacob W. Van Ellen. David Seynmur. 
Earlv settlers. 



xii CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XV. 

PAGE. 

Recollections, Business, and Inventions 213 

The cooper-shops of Thaddeus Edwards. Recollections of Thaddeus Edwards. 
Definition of the pounds, shillings, and pence used in the old account-books of early 
merchants and traders. Letter from Superintendent of Philadelphia Mint. Recol- 
lections of Charles J. Burnett, Jr. Boy life on a farm in Skaneateles. The patent 
knocker. Expedition to Australia in 1852 in search of gold. The Hecox brick 
house on the lake-shore, opposite the Packwood House, in 1872. Smallpox in the 
village in 1851. Offhand sketch of the village and of its people fifty years ago, by 
George H. Ellsbury. Sam Francis and his comical story about four hundred chip- 
munks in the old brick schoolhouse on the hill. Young fish placed in Skaneateles 
Lake. Old Burdick, the soap man. The Erie Canal, and its effect on this town. 
Charles Oxley, the egg man. The Powell brothers and their peculiarities. Peter 
Pell and his bass drum always the prominent figure in all public processions. Retail 
prices in the village in the year 1825. Grant Bramble and his reported wonderful 
inventions. Village property rather low in 1820. Sherwood's house. The Indian 
Queen Hotel. Before photographs were known. The propeller Ben Porter. 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Educational Sources and Early Schools 229 

The first school in the town of Skaneateles. Succeeding schools. Thomas Allis. 
Miss Graham's school and the names of her scholars in 1829. Location of the first 
schoolhouse in the village. State street in the village first opened. Subscription by 
enterprising citizens to purchase a lot whereon to build a schoolhouse in 1828. That 
lot is now whereon the Academy is located. The Skaneateles High School. Select 
schools. Lydia P. Mott, being the early history of a prominent promoter of female 
education, comprising a compilation of some of the principal events of her life in 
this town, and embracing some incidents of her youthful life as a schoolgirl when 
she was seventeen years old, in the year 1791. " The Maples of Mott Cottage," a 
poem. The history of the life and missionary work of the Rev. Samuel Kirkland. 
The Iroquois deputation to Philadelphia, and its reception at Bethlehem. The 
earliest recorded traveler's visit to Skaneateles, while on his way to Niagara in the 
year 1804. His description of tlie settlement and Lake. Historical collections. 

CHAPTER XVIL 

The Teasel Industry, Various Corporations, and Banks 248 

The teasel industry. The term teaseling explained. Further description of the 
teasel and its peculiar use. Mode of cultivation. Gathering of the crop. Drying 
the teasels. The business of the teasel merchants. The growth of the teasel plant 
in the United States. The difference between teasels cultivated and uncultivated. 
The Skaneateles Water Works Company. The Skaneateles Iron Works. Certificate 
of Incorporation. Meeting of stockholders to increase its capita! stock. The 
Skaneateles Wood-Working Company. The Skaneateles Lake Park Company. The 
Dryden, Grolon, and Moravia TeiiKraph Company. The Central New York Electric 
Light and Power Company. The Lake Bank. The First National Bank.- The Bank 
of Skaneateles. Skaneateles Savings-Bank. Detailed history of the old burying- 
ground before the incorporation of the Rural Cemetery Association of Lake View. 



CONTENTS. 
CHAPTER XVlli. 



Lake View Cemetery and Skaxeateles Lake. 



The origin of Lake View Cemetery. How it was finally established under the 
most adverse opposition, and through whose personal exertions and loans of large 
sums of money it became finally established. The original Trustees who were ap- 
pointed at a public meeting, which the statute required to be held. Unfortunately a 
majority of the iweh'e thus appointed were adherents of the owner of the old 
burial-ground, and, of course, were not interested in the new organization. Skanc- 
ateles Lake as it appeared when this part of the country was visited by the pioneers. 
Modern description of its shores. Mile Point. Effect of the first dam which raised 
the surface of the water in the Lake. The original building on the shore of the 
Lake in the village. Aboriginal name of Skaneatcles Lake. Another and more modern 
description d the Lake. The peat-bog speculation. Another peat-bog operation 
reported. Pork Point. Skaneateles Lake, and how its name originated. The original 
mail and the improved stage-coach. 

CHAPTER XIX. 
Bonding Skaxeateles Defe.vted. — Early Missions and Religious Dexo.minatioxs. . . . 274 
Defeat of the attempt to bond Skaneateles on behalf of a railroad. Another 
speculation which was intended to force on the town of Skaneateles a bonded debt 
of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in behalf of the New York Western 
Midland Railroad. After the town had been actually bonded under the forms of 
the railroad law, the scheme of its promoters was fortunately defeated by the dis- 
covery of the defection of the County Judge. Another attempt to bond. Conse- 
quences of bonding. Early missionaries in this section of the State. The Episcopal 
missions. Religious denominations in this town. The first religious body, the 
Schaneateles Society, was not denominational, as all the residents attended its 
services. In the year 1818 its attendants adopted the Presbyterian form of govern- 
ment, and has ever since been distinguished as the Presbyterian Society. The 
Protestant Episcopal Church. The Society of Friends. Origin of the First Baptist 
Society in the village. The Methodist Episcopal Church. The Skaneatcles Falls 
Methodist Episcopal Church. The Methodist Episcopal Church at Mottville. The 
Congrtpational Church. The Roman Catholic Church. 

CHAPTER XX. 

^'ACHTING, Skaxeateles, anu Official History 2S0 

The first real yacht built. A visit by the Chief and a delegation of the Onondaga 
tribe of Indians, when Colonel William J. Vredenburg's grand Colonial mansion 
was begun in 1804. The appropriate name given to this yacht, and why it was named 
"The Four Sisters." Regattas on the Lake fifty years ago. A notable yacht, "The 
Wild Wave." Years Ago: a highly polished descriptive communication, published 
in the Skaneateles Columbian, written by Dr. H. R. Lord, and signed " Secretary 
of the Navy." Charles L. Elliott, the artist. Sketches of the town of Skaneateles 
in 1865. Official history of the village, its incorporation, and the names of its various 
officers. Description of the village at the present time. Its attractiveness as a resi- 
dence for all who appreciate health, beauty, cleanliness, and quiet enjoyment, and 
particularly its freedom from those insidious insects mosquitoes. There is not a 
village in the State of New York which offers more attractions to either resident or 
visitor than Skaneateles. Town meetings held in various taverns. 



xiv CONTEXTS. 

CHAPTER XXI. 

PAGE. 

Ch.\nges i.v Proi'erty-Ownership and Establish.ment of Libraries 309 

History of the James Ennis-Ludlow-Talcott-De Zcng-Whittlesey-Lapham-Padel- 
ford-Roosevclt property, on the west shore of the Lake, from the ownership of the 
soldier to whom it was allotted in 1791. History of the haunted tavern, which was 
located on this property at an early period. The legend of the haunted tavern and 
the yellow dog with red eyes. Remarkable history of Daniel Ludlow, who purchased 
this property in 1811, and died here in 1814. His remains rest in the old burial- 
ground on the hill. Names of the various owners of this property after the death of 
Ludlow, and the consideration each gave when purchased. The ownership of Richard 
L. De Zeng, who built the present Colonial mansion in 1839. The Skaneateles 
Library Association incorporated. A circulating library in the village in 1832-33. 
Description of a remarkable snow-storm in the village in 1891. Subscription to pay 
for the first organ to be constructed for St. James' Church. .\n effort to establish 
a Free Public Library in 1875, which effort was defeated. 



CHAPTER XXH. 

Early Physicians and Local History 326 

Original and later physicians in town and village. Sale of Military Lot No. 35. 
Thayer, the artist. Fragments of history. How Harrison B. Dodge first became 
editor of the Skaneateles Democrat. Origin of the village Fire Department. Valua- 
ble files of local newspapers. Memorial Tablet in St. James' Church, in memory of 
six members of the Church who gave up their lives in the Civil War. Presbyterian 
Sunday-school celebration of Fourth of July, 1832. " Columbia," an ode. John W. 
Livingston, United States Marshal, a resident in this town. History of the Jerome 
family. Addison Jerome and his brother Leonard H. Jerome have been residents 
of this village. Leonard H. Jerome the father of Lady Randolph Churchill. She, 
however, never was in Skaneateles. The Lake House, its former names and various 
landlords. Mrs. Elizabeth T. Porter Beach, her celebrity. " The Last Broadside," 
a poem. 



CHAPTER XXI 
Enrolment List of Skaneateles 



Enrolment list of all the men in this town liable to military duty, together with 
the age of each individual, in the year 1863: First class, ages from 20 to 35, 362; 
Second class, ages from 35 to 45, 212; number enrolled, 594. List 'of drafted men 
in 1863. Skaneateles Roll of Honor. Names, rank, company, and regiment of three 
hundred and seventy-four volunteers from this town in the War of 1861-65. This 
Roll of Honor is the most complete that was ever collected. It is. therefore, a por- 
tion of the history of this town. Names of the soldiers who gave up their lives 
in defense of the Union who belonged to the town of Skaneateles. Albert De Cost 
Burnett, the youngest volunteer from Skaneateles. The Skaneateles Educational 
Society. The Skaneateles Anli-Slavery Society. F.lnalhan S. .Xndrows. James 
Sackelt. Bethuel Cole. An early carpenter and contractor. 



CONTENTS. XV 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

PACE. 

Introduction of Merino Sheep.— Early Merchants and Steamboat Excursions 362 

Corrcl Humphreys' life and experiences, written by himself, by request, pur- 
posely for this History. The massacre in Florida. One of his ancestors first intro- 
duced the famous Merino sheep into this country. An interesting account of its 
accomplishment. Early merchants in the village whose places of business were all on 
the north side of the Seneca Turnpike Road as late as 1816. Names of the original 
millwrights who built all the grist-mills about this section of the State. Justice of 
the Peace Elijah Price. Isaac Mills. Church diversion in old days among the gentle- 
men of the congregation of St. James' Church. Recollections of Thaddeus Edwards. 
History of the Daniel C. Robbins place, now the Mingo Lodge. Arthur Mott, 
from whom Mottville took its name. The first excursion up to the head of the Lake 
in the first steamboat, with the names of the excursionists, sixty in number. Matches. 
Peat, or muck. Abraham Cuddeback. Elijah Manley. John Briggs. 

CHAPTER XXV. 
The Skaneateles Water Works Co.mpany and Local History 371 



History of that remarkable organization, " The Skaneateles Water Works Com- 
pany," which acted as an agent of the American Pipe Manufacturing Company of 
New Jersey. It applied for a franchise, and got it, from the village Trustees, without 
due consideration. Its value has been demonstrated since by the litigation the Pipe 
Company has cost the village. " Municipal Ownership of a Water Plant," an article 
from the Skaneateles Democrat. Scraping the snow from the village sidewalks in 
winter; how it originated. Dr. Jonathan Kneeland. Samuel C. Wheadon. The 
Ladies' Aid Society during the Civil War. An illustration of the uncertainty of 
human life. Names of one hundred well-known citizens of the village of Skaneateles 
who signed a remonstrance against a bill pending in the Legislature in the year 1862, 
forty years ago. Only nine are now living. The village officers have passed away. 
The closing century. Early accoimt-books procured. Over twelve hundred names 
alphabetized. See Decision of Supreme Court of the United States against the Water 
Works Company, March 3, 1902, on page 454. 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

The Churches and the Library 389 

Engraving of St. James' Church and description of memorials placed therein. 
The Leslie memorial windows. Engraving of the New Brick Presbyterian Church, 
with description of its memorials. Mud Lake. A Tourist's observations. Erastus 
M. Beach, a former resident of the village. His experiences while a resident. The 
Skaneateles Library Building and Sphinx, illustrated with six half-tone engravings. 
Items of interest. 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

A Great Century's Ending 406 

The Nineteenth Century and its discoveries. Other subjects of general interest, 

none of which have any relation to the special history of Skaneateles or to the 

general subjects of this volume. The wonderful transmission of meridian time by 
telegraph. Predictions for the year 2000. 



xvi CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

p 

Local History as Elaborated by the Newspaper Press of Syracuse 

Extracts are presented from the various newspapers of Syracuse, giving inter- 
esting information concerning the village of Skaneateles in 1898. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

An Inside History of Lake View Cemetery, which has never before been- made 

PUBLIC 4 ' 

Preliminary action to organize an incorporated public cemetery. Election of 
twelve Trustees. A certificate of indebtedness. Want of interest. Prosecution of the 
work by the author. Criticism of public functionaries. Trust funds. Facsimile of 
document discovered by the author. Cemetery lands conveyed to the Trustees. of 
the village. Portrait of Dver Brainerd. History of Alfred Champ. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

The Author's Adventures with the Legal Fraternity 440 

Commencing with the highest authority in the State, the Attorney-General. 
Criticism of his opinion. Legal right to criticize a public officer. Judge Folger's 
opinion with reference to the right of newspaper criticism. Lawyers generally. 
What the Bible says of lawyers. Characterization of lawyers by Shakespeare. 
Another adventure with a different variety of the legal fraternity— the official 
stenographer of a court of record. 



CONCLUSION. 

Summary or the Work on this Volu.me 45° 

The concluding remarks to the gentle reader by Mr. Clark in his " History of 
Onondaga County." Experiences of the author. A remonstrance by one hundred 
citizens of the village. Defeat of the attempt to bond the town. Franchise granted to a 
trolley road. An excellent cemetery secured to the town. Municipal ownership of 
the water works. Decision of the Supreme Court of the United States against the 
Skaneateles Water Works Company, March 3, 1902. System of clearing the snow 
from the sidewalks in winter by tlie village. Individual history. 

INDEX OF NAMES 46s 

INDEX OF SUBJECTS 47i 



INDEX OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



A fAGi;. 
Allis, C. \V., Merchant and Banker 196 



Braincrd. I )ycr 419 

Burnett, Albert Dc Cost, Youngest \'oluntcer of the Civil \\ .ir 359 

Burnett. Charles J.. Jr 201 

C. 

Coe, Edward B 161 

Coe's. Edward B., Daughter and her Children . . 164 

Collins Point, Skancateles Lake, East Shore 295 

Colonial Residence of Daniel Kellogg 26 

Cooper Shops, Thaddcus Edwards' Old, Built Eighty Years Ago 213 



Document Discovered by the Author. 



Five- Mile Point, on East Shore of Lake. 
Francis, George 



Genesee Street and St. James' Church. 
Goodall, Charles 



11. 

Hall. David, more familiarly known as Deacon David Hall 194 

Hall, Captain James, Early Prominent Citizen and Manufacturer 311 

Hawley, Nelson, Early Merchant 199 

Head, or South End, of Skaneatelcs Lake, showing " Glen Haven " Hotel 329 

Highlands, The, near South End of Lake, showing both sides of the Lake 271 

Humphreys, Corrcl, a well-know 11 Early Resident 365 



Kellogg, Daniel 



Lake House, built in 1824, destroyed by fire July 19, 1870 ,137 

Leslie, Edmund Norman Frontispiece 

Leslie, Mrs. Edmund Norman Frontispiece 

Leslie, Mrs. Edmund Norman, copy of Daguerreotype taken in 1846 324 

Leslie, Mrs. Edmund Norman, copy of Portrait painted by Charles L, Elliott in 1846, .. . 325 
Leslie Memorial Windows in St. James' Church 391 



xviii IXDEX OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 

O. PAGE. 

One-Mile Point, West Shore of Lake 263 

Oxley, Charles (Died 1888, aged ninety years) 225 

P. 

Pardee, Charles » 203 

Picnic on the Wooded Shore of Skaneateles Lake 315 

Presbyterian Church, Old Brick, erected in 1830 283 

Presbyterian Church, New 394 

R. 
Regatta on Skaneateles Lake Forty Years Ago (On the dock stands Philander William- 
son ; on his right is Captain Eckhardt; on the corner of the dock is George Rawlins) . 220 

Regatta, Skaneateles— The Start, 1850 292 

Regatta, Skaneateles— The Start, 1851 293 

S. 

St. James' Church, Original, erected 1827-28 283 

St. James' Church, New 390 

Skaneateles Lake and St. James' Church 233 

Skaneateles Lake, East Shore, near Village 266 

Skaneateles Lake Yacht, sailing " in-the-eye-of-the-wind " — St. James' Church and sur- 
rounding Scenery 380 

Skaneateles Library Building and Sphinx — Six Illustrations. .. .397, 398, 399, 401, 403, 404 

Skaneateles Savings Bank 255 

Skaneateles, N. Y., Village of, in 1830 (Copperplate Engraving from the Ariel) 190 

Enlargement of the above Engraving (Folding Plate), opposite 192 

Skaneateles Village, Mirrored by Water of the Lake 37;^ 

Skaneateles, Village of. View from the Lake in 1856 x^i 

Society of Friends, as illustrated by two of its early members, Mrs. Ahner Lawton and 

Mrs. Russell Frost 285 

Stage-Coach, Original Mail and Passenger 259 

Stage-Coach, An Improved (designed for wealthier travelers), and a Roadside Tavern.. 273 

T. 

Taber. Mrs. William -R., illustrating the Simplicity of Attire oi liie .■Micieiy of Friends. .. . 287 

Teasel, The, One of the Chief Productions of Skaneateles 249 

Ten-Mile Point, Skaneateles Lake, from the South 223 

Ten-Mile Point. Skaneateles Lake, looking South 385 

Three Sisters, The, ages respectively 82, 83, and 84 years 142 

V. 

Village Residence of Ednunid Norman Leslie — Summer 299 

Village Residence of Ednnmd Norman Leslie — Winter Approach 303 

Vredenburg Colonial Mansion, erected 1804-72 290 

W. 

Wheel-Head, Accelerating, Miner's 38 

Winter Scene in the Village of Skaneateles 319 



PREFACE, 



After assuming a permanent residence in the village of Skaneateles, in the 
year 1851, the change from an active business life became very apparent, and 
necessitated not only physical, but mental occupation. While considering some 
project of pleasurable employment which would be of general interest and 
beneficial to the community at large, the subject of investigating the pioneer 
settlement of both the town and the village of Skaneateles was brought to mijid 
by learning that all the public records of the town had been destroyed by fire 
in the year 1835. Therefore, under these conditions, the subject of investigating 
the earliest settlement of this section of the State was assumed, although with 
considerable doubt of its successful completion. 

The original purpose was to publish such collections of local history from 
time to time in the Skaneateles Democrat, whose editor, now deceased, had always 
exhibited a personal interest in the early history of the town. The author not 
having been " to the manor born,"' it seemed, of course, to be a very difficult 
undertaking, but, being naturally endowed with tlu' faculty of perseverance, the 
contents of this volume attest his endeavors. 

The first necessity under the above conditions, in entering upon an unknown 
subject, was to obtain the names of the original pioneers who with their families 
settled this section of the State over one hundred years ago, all of whom have 
" passed over to the majority." In order to procure the names desired, it was 
essential to obtain account-books, such as ledgers and day-books, which had 
been kept by the original pioneer traders and merchants, as they would be desirable 
adjuncts in ascertaining the names of those who had made purchases for family 



XX PREFACE. 

and other purposes. It consumed a considerable time to procure those old 
account-books, but it was finall\- accomplished. Five ledgers and two day-books, 
dating from the year 1800 to 1825, were secured. The ledgers were all single 
entry, and it was difficult to obtain the names of the owners. From all these 
account-books there were obtained over twelve hundred names of individuals 
and firms who made regular purchases from dealers and traders located at the 
■■ Xorth End of Skaneateles Lake," which was the original name of the present 
village. The persons who made their purchases here resided within a radius 
of from fifty to one hundred miles around this early settlement. 

These names were copied in alphabetical order, and were afterward sub- 
mitted to the late Nathaniel Miller, who first settled in the village in the year 
1807, and who possessed a very retentive memory of individuals and of events. 

Only the result of his recollections of the names of farmers and others, their 
locations and individualities, is given in this volume. The great mass of the 
names not included within his recollection has been omitted as being in obscurity. 
The names have, however, been kept for reference to determine the date when 
some particular individual traded or was a temporary resident in either town 
or village. 

It is proper here to state llial nearly all the sketches of individuals who were 
early settlers that are detailed in this volume are the result of personal interviews 
by the author within the past fifty years, all of whom have now " joined the 
innumerable throng." 

The material included in this volume, fragmentary in character, has been in 
course of collection during the past fifty years, a great deal of it by personal 
correspondence, and, now that so much has been obtained which has never here- 
tofore seen the light of publication, and which it is now impossible to acquire, 
the author estimates that its publication in its present form has become a diUy 
which will be indispensable to futurity. 

The small volume entitled "• History of Skaneateles and Vicinity," ijublished 
twenty years ago (1881), included, with the permission of the author, a small 
portion of this history that had previously been printed in the Skaneateles 
Donocrat. 



PREFACE. xxi 

The author also loaned all his niamiscript collections of the early history of 
this town to the editor and publisher of " The Centennial History of Onondaga 
County," by request, indicated in a circular received by mail. In the preface 
of the first volume, the following acknowledgment was printed : 

■■ While the list of all who have personally aided in our task is too long for 
publication, it is incumbent upon us to give the names of a few who have 
been most instrumental in securing and supplying information for the various 
town histories, among which are Captain George Collins and Uriah Roundy, town 
of Spafford; E. Norman Leslie, the town of Skaneateles," etc. 

In the progress of collecting the subjects detailed herein, the author has 
been indebted and placed under personal obligations to several gentlemen and 
one lady, among whom may be primarily named Thomas Isom, himself a former 
merchant, who furnished all the particulars of the earliest merchants, their 
various partnerships, changes in business, and many other subjects of general 
interest which otherwise it would have been impossible to obtain. His information 
was derived from the late Nathaniel Miller, Dr. E. H. Porter, Deacon David Hall, 
C. Pardee, and Amos Pardee, Sr., all of whom are deceased; Rev. William M. 
Beauchamp : George Maurice Abbot, Treasurer of " The Library Company of 
Philadelphia " ; and Mrs. D. K. Leitch, of the village of Skaneateles. 

The author has also consulted J. V. H. Clark's " Onondaga," the records in 
the office of the Clerk of Onondaga County, and the records in the office of the 
Surrogate of Onondaga County. 

The sketches of individuals who nearly a century ago were prominent residents 
here have been obtained through an extensive correspondence with their descend- 
ants, and it required much perseverance to complete them. One of these was 
Daniel Ludlow (page 312), and another was Phares Gould (page 209). 

There are undoubtedly many imperfections and some repetitions that have 
naturally occurred in a history which has been from time to time written in the 
interim of the past fifty years. The number of years since this town was first 
settled is now ( 1902) named as having been one hundred and eight years from 
1794, although in the following pages one hundred and seven years has been stated 
as having been the limited time. 



xxii PREFACE. 

This volume has been wrilten offhand by the author, without previous mem- 
orandum of any kind, and every page has been by him typewritten and pre- 
pared for the compositor. His advancing years, causing impairment of eyesight 
and especially of memory, must be held responsible for many imperfections in 
this volume. 

There have been added as " reminiscences of later times " some of the author's 
personal experiences after having been elected President of the village, in the year 
1895, at the age of seventy-eight years, which office he held two years. 

In entering upon the subject of writing a history of the town and village of 
Skaneateles, it was at first considered unfruitful of incident and barren of 
interest. Materials multiplied, however, and incidents accumulated to a great 
extent. The field of investigation was found to be unexplored, and the author was 
borne on irresistibly to glean fresh material from all sources. The success which 
has attended the undertaking in the collection of this mass of historical matter 
has greatly exceeded anticipation. 

With these preliminary remarks and explanation, the following pages are 
submitted to the public. 

The Author. 

March, 1902. 



SKANEATELES 

CHAPTER I. 
Tiii; Earliest Historv. 

It will be appropriate, in writing on the subject of the earliest history of 
Skaneatcles, to comnience at the period before this town was set off from the 
township of Marcellus. 

Marcellus was one of the original townships in the military tract that con- 
sisted of lands which were assigned by the State of New York to the Revolu- 
tionary soldiers of the New York line as premiums, or bounty lands. A lot one 
mile square was given to each soldier, except a certain portion which was 
reserved to defray the expenses of surveying and other contingencies. The 
names assigned to the townships were selected by the Surveyor-General De Witt 
and officers of the Government before any settlements were made. This accounts 
for the singularity of the names, which were taken principally from distinguished 
men of ancient Greece and Rome. Some of them were distinguished as poets, 
orators, statesmen, and some as military commanders ; a few were taken from 
prominent literary men of England, as Dryden, Milton, and Locke. The town- 
ships of the military tract were equal to ten miles square, and were divided by 
surveys into one hundred lots one mile square. 

At the commencement of the Revolutionary War, in 1776, Congress offered 
to the officers and soldiers who should enlist and serve during the war a bounty 
of both money and land. At the close of the war, in 1783, the Legislature of the 
State of New York took action with regard to these promised bounty lands, not 
only with a view of discharging the aforesaid engagement of Congress, but, in 
consideration of the virtue and patriotism of the troops of New York, to add 
thereto a large gratuity of State lands. 

As a consequence, the Legislature passed an act defining the ratio of lands to 
be given to each private and to officers of each grade. There were two kinds of 
granted lands, one called gratuity, and the other bounty. By an act passed 
February 28, 1789, the Surveyor-General was directed to lay out the tracts of 
land which are now known as "The Military Lots." On the ist of January, 
1791, the Commissioners of the Land Office proceeded to determine claims, and 
to ballot for each individual's share. 

From that time, soldiers began to sell their bounty lands, and even before that 
date they sold their claims to any one who wished to purchase, and it is a singular 
fact that soldiers would sell their claims over and over again to whoever would 
make an offer for them. Our county records, made at an early day, show many 
owners of about half of the military lots in this town. In consequence, the 



2 HISTORY 01- SKANEATELES. 

courts became overflowed with business relating to these contested claims, a large 
proportion of the lots in the whole military tract being more or less a subject of 
litigation. Finally, the Legislature passed a law appointing a Board of Commis- 
sioners, with full power to hear, examine, award, and determine all disputes 
respecting the titles to any and all the military bounty lands. The action of this 
board prevented further litigation, and the real owners were placed in quiet 
possession of their lands. Therefore, under the conditions of these laws, the 
original owners of the lands in this town of Skaneateles were the thirty-four 
Revolutionary soldiers who were awarded by ballot the several military lots in 
this town, hereinafter designated. 

There are thirty-nine of these lots in this town, which were originally in the 
township of Marcellus, which had one hundred lots, and when this town was set 
off and organized, in 1830, as a distinct town, thirty-nine lots were taken from 
Marcellus, and these lots now compose the town of Skaneateles. 

January i, 1791, the balloting commenced for each individual's share. Ninety- 
four soldiers drew lots in each township. Of the one hundred lots, one lot was 
drawn for the support of literature in the State of New York; one lot near the 
center of each township was assigned by the Surveyor-General for the support 
of the gospel and common schools, and the remaining four lots went to satisfy 
the surplus shares of the officers, and to compensate those who by chance might 
draw lots covered with water. 



NAMES OF SOLDIERS WHO ORIGINALLY OWNED THIS TOWN. 



Lot 




Lot 




Number. Soldier. 


Number. Soldier. 


I. 


Baker, Stephen. 


38. 


Dennison, Geo., Lieutenant. 


2. 


Lepperd, John. 


39- 


Gillaspie, William. 


3- 


Bear, Edward. 


44- 


Shultz, John. 


4- 


Moore, John. 


45- 


Blowers, Ephraim. 


5- 


Yarrington, William. 


52. 


Peck, Hiel, Lieutenant. 


10. 


Herring, Benj., Ensign. 


57- 


Beebe, Benjamin. 


II. 


Lodder, William. 


58. 


Vosburgh, Peter J. 


12. 


Gilbert, John. 


59- 


Reed, Jacob, Captain. 


13- 


Gross, John. 


60. 


Lake, Henry. 


20. 


Dow, Volkert. 


<J5- 


Halstead, Joseph. 


21. 


Moore, Thomas. 


66. 


Pembroke, David. 


27. 


Burrance, Henry. 


67. 


Weeks, Jacob. 


28. 


Higby, Samuel. 


73- 


Brown, John. 


29. 


Parson, Samuel. 


84. 


Martin, John. 


30. 


Jones, Thomas. 


85- 


Casey, Robert. 


35- 


Kenneth, Campbell. 


86. 


McPcck, Dennis. 


36. 


Simonds, John. 


87. 


Dicfl-'endorpli.TTonry, Lieutenant. 


37- 


Doughty, John, Captain. 







HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 3 

There arc tliirty-tive lots above named, wliich were distributed to the soldiers. 
The surphis lots were numbered respectively 19, 22, 50, 51. 

After the Commissioners of the Land Office had balloted fur each soldier's 
share, of course each soldier then knew he owned a military lot, but had no 
knowledge of its location. No patents had been issued to each individual soldier, 
who only knew that he had been awarded a lot containing six hundred acres of 
land. This ownership was a claim only, which was a salable commodity. Many 
soldiers sold their claims over and over to different persons, while other soldiers 
did not sell until they received their patents (which were official titles). 

Four hundred and eleven years ago, America had no place or name among the 
nations of the civilized world. Four hundred and eleven years ago the voice 
of the white man had not been heard in this land. 

One hundred and seven years ago, our surrounding hills were shaded with 
immense and lofty trees; bogs and swamps were more numerous and more 
extensive than at the present time ; the beaver and the flood made the only dams 
impeding the numerous streams ; trout were abundant ; salmon came far up the 
creek; the hawk and the eagle towered and soared far above the loftiest hills, 
watching for their prey; the trumpet note of the wild swan was in evidence as 
she sailed on the waves with outspread wings ; the partridge drummed ; the 
turkey called among the trees ; the skies were darkened and the ground blue with 
countless wild pigeons ; troops of deer bounded through the dark forests, grazed 
along the lowlands, and swam the placid waters of the lake; the panther, wolf, 
and bear prowled about our hills, unheeded and unharmed ; sometimes their 
voices made the dark forest a howling wilderness. 

Previous to the earliest settlement of this section of the country, one hundred 
and sez'en years ago, the ground on which we daily tread, the places now beauti- 
fied by pleasant homes, our broad and shady avenues, our business marts and 
manufactories, our modern and beneficial schools, our fertile farms, and all the 
accessories of civilization — all — all the ground thus now occupied was in a state 
of pritriez-al nature, untouched by the white man. Hack of this limited period 
of one hundred and eight years lies an incomprehensible space of time. Centuries 
of years, thousands of years, had passed before Skancatclcs had a name as a 
village or as a town. 

" In the eighteenth century the trail from Onondaga crossed the foot of 
Skaneateles Lake, and I have recently had access to what is probably the 
earliest recorded visit to Skaneateles Lake. In 1750 the Moravian missionaries 
came from Bethlehem, Pa., by way of the Susquehanna, Ithaca, and Cayuga. 
June 18, Bishop CammerhofF said: 'We reached a lake named Achsgo (now 
Owasco), where we saw it was about three miles wide and ten miles long, but 
we could not sec the end of it. At the lower end, where it is about one mile wide, 
we were obliged to ride through it ; we saw some Indians wading across. The 
bottom was clear sand, and the water very fresh and cold. . . . We went on 
again into the wilderness, where there was nothing but swamps and marshes. 



4 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

We came to a lake named Sganiatarees. It flows S. E. and N. W., and empties 
toward the N. W. ; is about two or three and a half miles long, but we could not 
see the end of it. We crossed at the lower end of it, where it empties into a rapid 
creek with a swift current, and then pursued our journey in the wilderness.' 

" These missionaries were not very good judges of distances there or else- 
where. It may be added that they were on horseback." 

The above is from the historical collections of Rev. W. M. Beauchamp. 

Previously to the visit of these Moravian missionaries, eternal silence and 
eternal solitude reigned supreme, broken only by the shout of the wandering red 
man or by the recent hunter and trapper, in pursuit of game. These were rarely 
heard, sometimes for months only, and at other times, for many long years, the 
voice of bird and beast alone was heard in the vast forests. 

" Here were no Indian fields or traces of extended occupancy by an early 
people. Yet it had visitors. The occasional arrowheads found reveal the ancient 
hunter, and still rarer articles an earlier people of higher skill. The most remark- 
able of these is a small ceremonial stone of striped slate, now in Mr. O. M. Bige- 
low's collection, Baldwinsville, N. Y. These early people came and departed, 
and left these memorials of their presence." — (From Rev. W. M. Beauchamp's 
collections.) 

In itself, a period of one hundred and seven years seems a long time to any 
one man, but when it is compared with all the past ages — the age of our world, 
which has been estimated as being from ten to twenty million years— one hundred 
and seven years dwindles into nothing. There is a truer measure of time than 
its mere passage. Life is measured by deeds, and time by events and changes. 

" We live in deeds, not years ; 
In feelings, not in figures on a dial. 
We should count time by heart-throbs. He most lives 
Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best." 

— Philu> J.\mes B.\ilev. 

When our pioneers came here, they found the uplands covered with forests 
of hard timber, with but little undergrowth. The lowlands were overspread 
with a dense hemlock forest, and the swamps with ash and white cedar. Not a 
tree had been felled ; no plowshare had rent the ground. 

That placid lake which is before our admiring eyes daily, whose surface has 
the same appearance now that it had thousands of years ago, reflects the heavens 
as of old ; the everlasting hills and its rocky banks were then the same as now, 
the jutting points produced from the deposited sands of the swift-flowing rivu- 
lets of past ages. It was the resting-place of the migrating wild fowl, geese, 
ducks, herons, and others of the like nature, unharmed and unmolested. Its 
appearance thousands of years ago taxes the imagination to describe. 

Every detail of the scene has undergone a change. Rocks remain to show the 
location of the beautiful cascades of early times, but the water which produced 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 5 

tlieiii has disappeared. By llie rcmcival of the forests our southern hills liave 
lost some of their graceful contour and much in apparent height. The fishennan 
and hunter have not their old success. The naturalist searches in vain for birds, 
tree, or plant which in fomier times were to be found with little care. The 
utilitarian observes the decrease of the water supply with anxiety, and the farmer 
can not grow some varieties of fruits, which once were abundant. Progress 
often leaves behind much that is good. Notwithstanding all this, few would 
wish to go back to that past. Present advantages are so great and real that they 
outweigh all the losses that can be mentioned. 

Measured by revolving years, the century since the pioneer first raised his 
cabin near the lake shore is but the faintest point of time compared with the 
ages that have gone before. Tested by the advance of civilization here and else- 
where, it is as the passage of thousands of years. Of that dim, illimitable past, 
there is very little to record here; of our later days, every household and home 
offers something to interest heart and mind, and this because the reign of mind 
has begun. 

How great the contrast now ! It seems a new world, filled with strange 
inventions and teeming with a new life. 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



CHAPTER II. 
How THE Pioneers Came. 

From the time of the survey of the military lots in 1794, the tide of emigration 
from the eastern section of this State and from the New England States began to 
flow to this part of the State. Usually pioneers came in the summer and fall, 
on foot and on horseback, prospecting in search of homes. But winter was most 
propitious for the removal of their families and goods. The snows of winter 
were distributed evenly over the ground, and lay permanently protected from 
drifts by the dense forests. The long winters gave ample time for the journeys, 
which were often interrupted by impassable streams and thaws. This was for- 
tunate for emigration at that early period, as the highway during the summer 
season was so much obstructed by roots and stumps as to render traveling very 
difificult in conveyances on wheels. There were no four-wheeled wagons in those 
days. Two-wheeled vehicles only were used. 

For many years there was to be seen on the Genesee road, in the winter season, 
an almost unbroken procession of loads of people with goods, drawn by either 
oxen or horses, accompanied by herds of cattle and cows, to settle this great 
wilderness. In 1803 the Seneca Turnpike was chartered, and soon after it was 
laid out six rods wide, the trees being cut away to the whole width, and the road- 
way thrown up in the center to get the benefit of the sun's rays and render the 
road as dry as possible. This road extended from Utica to Canandaigua, and 
was a continuation of the Mohawk Turnpike, thus affording a regular turnpike 
communication from Albany to Canandaigua. There was a great tide of emigra- 
tion which came over this road, destined to the western part of this State and 
to the Western Reserve in Ohio. 

The Genesee country, in the western part of the State, was settled previously, 
and, there being no roads through the State, the emigration to it was by water up 
the Mohawk, through Oneida Lake and River, and up the Seneca River and 
Lake. On the completion of the turnpike, the travel westward passed wholly 
through this place. About the year 180D merchandise was transported in large 
covered wagons drawn by four horses. 

Settlements once made prepared the way for accessions, and accordingly we 
find that the population increased rapidly from year to year by the constantly in- 
coming tide of emigration from the East. 

At the time the first settlers came here there was not in existence in the town 
of Marcellus such a vehicle as a horse-wagon. All visiting was done mostly in 
winter, on sleds, and fortunate was the hardy settler who could yoke a pair of 
oxen of his own, and make his way through the woods with his wife and a child 



HI STORY or SKAXHATELES. 7 

or two on the sled, for an evening's visit with his nearest neighbor, many miles 
distant. Such a man was considered rich. 

At first there were no roads for many years. The settlers used to follow 
marked trees on foot. Roads were first made from house to house, and from 
place to place, and finally, when roads were made, they were proverbially bad — 
very bad. 

At the time this part of the country was settled our fathers w^re groping in 
almost utter darkness, so far as a knowledge of the sciences was concerned, and 
but little progress had been made in invention and the arts. Scarcely one of 
the modern contrivances for cooking, and for warming and lighting dwellings, 
was known. Not a pound of coal had been burned in the country. No iron 
stoves were used, and no contrivances for economizing heat were employed. All 
the cooking and warming were done with the aid of fire kindled upon the stone 
hearth or with the oven. Pine-knots or tallow candles furnished the light for 
the long winter evenings, and the bare floors supplied the place of rugs and car- 
pets. The water used for household purposes was drawn from deep wells with 
the creaking "sweep." No form of pump was used in this part of the country, 
so far as can be learned, until after the commencement of the present century. 
There were no friction matches in those early days, with the aid of which a 
fire could be speedily kindled. And if the fire went out upon the hearth overnight, 
and the tinder was damp, so that the spark would not "catch," the alternative 
remained of wading through the snow a mile or so to borrow a brand of a neigh- 
bor. Only one room in any house was warmed, unless some of the family were 
ill. In all the rest the temperature was at zero during many nights in winter. 
The men and women of those days undressed and retired to their beds at night 
in an atmosphere colder than that of our modem barns and woodsheds, and 
they never complained. Xo hot-air furnaces tempered the wintry air in their 
dwellings, and they slept soundly in the cold. The cooking was very simple, 
and the nature of the food plain and substantial. But few dishes were seen upon 
the tabic. Pork and cabbage, corn bread and milk, with bean porridge and pota- 
toes, were about the usual forms of food consumed. 

The ancient tinder-box was the only reliance for producing fire for household 
purposes. The present population know nothing of this necessity, therefore a 
detailed description is here given. The tinder-box was usually constructed of 
tin-plate. It was cylindrical in form, with an open top, about four or five inches 
in diameter, and four inches in height. A disk or plunger was made to exactly 
fit the cylindrical opening. On this disk was soldered a tin candle-holder, which 
was used not only to place a candle, but as a handle to the disk. A piece of linen 
rag was then lighted in a blaze, and as .soon as the blaze expired it was placed 
in the tinder-lx)x, and the disk or [)lunger placed over the charred rag. 

A piece of flint, which in those days was easily obtainable as gun-flints were 
in common use. and a piece of steel, so shaped as to hang by a hook over the 
inflex-finger of one hand, while with the other hand the flint was struck on the 



8 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

steel, produced a spark of fire, which, being directed to the surface of the 
charred rag, set it on fire, not, however, in a blaze, but sufficient to ignite a pine- 
shaving which had been tipped with brimstone for this purpose, and the shaving 
soon produced a blaze sufficient to light a candle. 

The tinder-box was always kept closed and in a dry place to avoid dampness. 
The space on top of the closed disk was the receptacle for holding the flint and 
steel. 

The tinder-box was in common use until the introduction of the original 
friction-match, about the year 1827. The first friction-matches were flat in 
shape, and had to be drawn between a folded piece of sand-paper to produce a 
blaze. The name given to these matches was "Lucifer matches," and from the 
time they were introduced the tinder-boxes disappeared, so much so that not one 
of them can now be found in an old-time collection. 

Skaneateles had not yet received its first shovelful of mineral coal, and it 
was a long way off from the time when its dwellings would be illuminated with 
kerosene. Tallow dips were then the only fashionable lights, and pine-knots 
were used by those who did not possess dips. Whale-oil lamps afterward came 
into fashion. 

Account-Books of Early Merchants. — The author obtained many years 
ago four ledgers and two day-books, which had been kept by as many early 
merchants and manufacturers. One day-book, kept by Eli Clark, dated from 
the time he came here, 1800, and continued until his death, August, 1834, at the 
age of seventy-two. 

From these account-books have been obtained twelve hundred names of per- 
sons who purchased their goods here in this early settlement, and who resided 
within a radius of from fifty to one hundred miles from this centei;. These repre- 
sent the earliest settlers in this section of the State. 

The cash entries in these old ledgers were apparently kept in sterling cur- 
rency. Pounds, Shillings, and Pence really were not sterling money, but divi- 
sions of the Spanish milled dollar. The pence were our twelfths of a shilling; 
the shillings were 123/2 cents ; and the pounds were 20 shillings of 12^/2 cents each. 

In a letter received by the author from the Superintendent of the United 
States Mint, at Philadelphia, it is stated that a law was passed by Congress 
in the year 1795 which made the divisions of the Spanish milled dollar legal 
tender. That law was in full force until Congress in 1853 passed a law repeal- 
ing the law of 1795. This had (he effect of driving out of circulation all the 
old Spanish coin then in use here. The Superintendent, also in reply to other 
questions, stated that none of the gold dollars which had been coined by the Mint 
had ever been returned, but were kept by their possessors. He also stated 
that the Mint now coins every year about $75,000 in quarter-eagles ($2,50) 
during the month of November to supply the demand during the holiday season. 

While writing on the subject of coins, it may be of interest to mention that 
an old coin was dug up on the old W. J. Vredenburg ground, on which is the 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 9 

new Colton dwelling-house. This coin was a one-cent piece which was coined 
by the State of Massachusetts before any coins were issued by the United States 
Mint. It bears the date of 1788. On the obverse side is an Indian with bow and 
arrow, and on the reverse is an eagle with outspread wings. Immediately under 
the eagle is the date 1788. On one side is the word "Massachusetts" around the 
eagle, while on the reverse side is the word "Commonwealth," thus making the 
title "Commonwealth of Massachusetts." The coin shows much use. therefore it 
was lost by its owner many years after its date. 

The Pioneers. — All the earliest settlers, when they first came here into 
the woods, were obliged to live for a considerable time with no shelter but the 
forest, making use of their two-wheeled cart, not only for sleeping purposes, but 
for culinary purposes, until a comfortable temporary cabin could be constructed. 
All the heavy labor was performed by the settlers themselves, and when it be- 
came necessary to build a log cabin, or for other heav>' work needing more as- 
sistance, a general invitation was extended to all the settlers in the vicinity, which 
was very generally accepted, and the meeting always ended in a frolic. Such calls 
for assistance were termed "Bees" — "Chopping-Bees," "Logging-Bees," "Husk- 
ing-Bccs," etc. 

In these primitive times the means of subsistence were scanty and precarious. 
Needed provisions were obtained from other settlements that had been settled 
earlier, such as the towns of .\urelius and Scipio, then in Onondaga County. 

Log Houses. — Very few log houses remain in central New York at this time. 
They have gone to ruin through neglect or have been used for firewood. Modern 
houses have taken their places, and modern methods of cooking have been 
adopted instead of those that held forth in the days of big chimneys and monster 
fireplaces, large enough to take in cord-wood. The old log cabins were built 
cheaply, and yet they had their good qualities, and were very comfortable in many 
respects. Some of them were very large. The floor was the bare earth, and re- 
mained so until saw-mills produced boards for floors. The logs for constructing 
the house were all about one size, and all were round as they grew. In the process 
of building, an open space was left on one side for a chimney, which was always 
built outside of the house, and was constructed of small round wood, laid together 
similar to the exterior of the log house. The spaces between the logs were plas- 
tered with clav, as well as the spaces between the smaller round wood for the 
chimneys, clay being the most desirable to keep out the rain and the snow and the 
cold, freezing air. The chimney was not only chinked with clay, but plastered 
inside for safety against fire. The roof of the log house was laid with small round 
straight trees, and covered with birch-hark, or bark of other trees if birch was not 
obtainable. Flat stones were laid down in and around the fireplace. The methods 
of housekeeping and cooking were very crude, but the pioneers enjoyed this mode 
of life until better appliances became available. 

Log barns were also common in early days, and were more crudely made than 
the log dwelling-houses. 



10 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

In later times, when the pioneers were able to get bricks or stone for their 
fireplaces and chimneys, they had many more comforts. Then they had cooking- 
cranes in the fireplace. These cranes had hooks on them for the purpose of hang- 
ing on kettles. The cranes were so constructed as to swing back and forth over 
and from the fire. Potatoes were buried in the hot ashes, and were thoroughly 
cooked. The corn and rye bread was baked over the hot embers in a cast-iron 
bake-pot, which had a cast-iron cover with a raised edge to hold the hot coals and 
ashes over the bread. Spareribs were hung on the crane over the fire to cook, and 
thus a superbly cooked rib was the result. The cost of living with these cheap 
conveniences was reduced to a minimum. Their wants were simple and not far- 
reaching. 

Log school-houses were a necessity in early times, not only for school purposes, 
but for religious services and for traveling missionaries, and for holding public 
meetings of the settlers. The log school-houses had been talked about for years. 
They were a necessity, and served a good purpose. When religious meetings were 
held in them, the ministers preached, and all the whole neighborhood for many 
miles around turned out on the Sabbath, on foot and on horseback, or in crude 
vehicles, to attend the meetings held in the log school-houses. 

Before the advent of saw-mills logs were placed in rows for seats. The min- 
ister had no pulpit, and was obliged to stand up and deliver his address without 
the customary written notes. His address was always practical. It was in this 
manner that the pioneers worshiped, and listened to the minister and to the old- 
fashioned singing, one hundred years ago. 

The pioneers did the best tliey could according to their means. The women of 
those days deserve especial notice. They made their own stockings, spun their 
own wool, and wove their own tow cloth, hatcheled their own flax, spun their own 
thread, and made the fabric into substantial garments. The log house had its old- 
fashioned loom, its spinning-wheel, flax-hatchel, and other arrangements, simple 
in their make-up, which were used in the log cabins of the pioneers, because they 
were useful and were required to meet the absolute wants of the early settlers. 

The youth of to-day can tell you nothing about log house life, much less about 
log cabins, tallow dips, tinder-boxes, and other rude appliances of those old days. 
This is an entirely different age from the pioneer days, and the present generation 
looks upon existing conditions with altogether different eyes from the early oc- 
cupants of our country. They see the wonders of this period, the advancements 
made by inventors and scientists, the progress that has been made in educational 
processes, in the modes of living, in traveling, and in innumerable other conve- 
niences, while our early pioneers were in blissful ignorance of the future modern 
progressiveness of the wonderful age in which we now live — the daily news- 
paper, printed by the hundred thousand daily, with huge machines driven by 
steam ; telegraphy ; the wonderful telephone, which allows familiar speech to be 
transmitted through a wire a thousand miles ; and, lastly, wireless telegraphy. 



HISTORY OF SK.IXE.ITELES. 



CHAPTER III. 
Eakly Pioneers. 



Abr.\h.\m a. CuDDEii.xcK. — The first settler in this town was Abraham A. 
Cuddeback, who came here from the town of Minisink, Orange County, N. \. 
He had previously secured his lands from the Surveyor-General of the State, 
at a time when the titles to the military lots were very imperfect from causes 
hereinbefore stated. 

He started from his old home, May 2, 1794, with a wagon, three yoke of oxen, 
one two-year-old colt, and twelve cows. He brought with him his wife and 
eight children, came by way of Albany, was forty-three days on the road, and 
arrived here June 14, 1794. When he arrived at Fort Schuyler, now Utica, there 
were but two buildings, and between there and Onondaga Hill there were no 
dwelling-houses. When he arrived here, there were no houses or log cabins 
within the locality where the village is situated. The forest on the lake-shore 
was so impenetrable for teams and cattle that he was obliged to construct a raft 
of logs, on which, from the entrance of the outlet, he had to convey his effects 
and family to his destination on the west shore of the lake. This location is now 
ornamented with the beautiful residence of the late Dr. S. H. Hurd, wliich is now 
owned by Mr. William Fitsgerald. The east end of the old barn, which was 
taken down by the order of Dr. Hurd some years ago, was erected by Mr. Cudde- 
back, and was the first frame building put up in the town. When Mr. Cudde- 
back and his family arrived here, there were five Indian wigwams, occupied by 
Indians, located at the spring where C. W. Allis erected his dwelling many years 
ago. 

The first four years the settlers had to carry their grain to be ground at a 
mill situated where Utica is now. The first mill in this vicinity was built at 
Onondaga Valley in 1798. The first wheat raised by Mr. Cuddeback, in 1796- 
97, he carried to Albany. Among other necessities needed by him were nails, 
so he traded part of his wiieat to procure them — a bushel of wheat for a pound 
of nails. 

Abraham A. Cuddeback died October 22, 1831, aged seventy-three years. 
He was a descendant of the Huguenots, who originally settled in Orange County, 
N. Y. 

Sk.\neateles' First Settler. — According to "Clark's Onondaga," John 
Thompson was the earliest settler. It is stated in that historical book that he 
came with his family within the present limits of this town in 1793. He was 
said to have settled on Lot No. 18. The deed of his purchase was recorded in 
the Countv Clerk's office, dated 1794. The consideration was his services while 



12 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

employed in ascertaining the jurisdiction line between the States of New York 
and Pennsylvania, and during three successive summers employed in surveying 
the military lands, as well as in consideration of five shillings lawful money of 
the State of New York. 

In my opinion he was by no means the earliest settler, as I have at various 
times during the past year made it a study to search the records of deeds in the 
County Clerk's office, on the theory that, this deed to him being on record in 
1794, at some future time thereafter he must have disposed of that land. I com- 
menced with the year 1794, and, searching along the following years, I found 
that said John Thompson had purchased military lands not only in this but in 
adjoining towns, and in all his deeds his name was recorded as being of the 
town of Stillwater, Saratoga County, N. Y. The next recorded deed after the 
first one in this town was dated October 12, 1801, when he purchased lands in 
Lot No. 88 in the township of Camillus. October 2, 1806, John Thompson 
of the town of Stillwater, sold the foregoing tract of land in the township of 
Camillus. 

I found recorded in 1810: John Thompson and Charlora Adams, of Mar- 
cellus, administrators of the goods and chattels, rights, and credits of David 
Groom, of Marcellus. 

June 15, 1819, John Thompson, of the same township of Stillwater, sold a 
tract of land to Nathan Thompson, of the town of Galway, Saratoga County, 
N. Y. January 12, 1821, John Thompson then entered his name in a deed for 
the first time as being of the town of Marcellus, N. Y., and sold to Joseph Fos- 
ter, of the township of Hannibal, Oswego County, N. Y., 104.85 acres, being parts 
of Lots Nos. 18 and 35, in the township of Marcellus; consideration, $2,090. 
This conveyance included his first purchase of fifty acres in Lot No. 18, and 
another parcel adjoining the fifty acres in Lot No. 35, of which purchase there 
was no record. In those early days many deeds were not recorded, and by dili- 
gent search no record could be found, March 2, 1825, this parcel of land of 
104.85 acres was sold by Joseph Torter to Samuel Jacacks, of the town of Mar- 
cellus; consideration, $2,300. April 7, 1836, Samuel Jacacks sold the John 
Thompson land to David Hall of Skaneateles; consideration, $5,000. 

In all these deeds by John Thompson, his wife, if he had one, did not join 
in the execution thereof. This indicates to my mind that, when assisting in the 
survey of the military lands, he was possibly quite a young man, without family or 
wife, and that he did not actually settle in this town until 1810 or 1821. 

The records in Syracuse are more or less imperfect in determining who 
were the first settlers, as many who came in early times had no money, and were 
obliged to hire or lease lands until they could earn enough to purchase. Sur- 
veyor-General De Witt, who held large tracts of land, furnished all newcomers 
with such lands as were wanted at a very low rate. There were other early 
pioneers who came in 1794, but no other deeds than John Thompson's are on 
record. 



HISTORY or SKJNEATELES. 13 

In my opinion really, under all circumstances hereinbefore stated, the first 
actual settler was Abraham A. Cuddcback, who arrived here June 14, 1794, with 
his wife and eight children, from Minisink, Orange County, N. Y. He was 
forty-three days on the route, and not only brought his family, but considerable 
stock. Though there is no deed on record of lands purchased by him, I have 
been informed by his grandchildren that he rented lands from De Witt, the 
Surveyor-General, and in the course of time he purchased the lands on which he 
first settled on the west bank of the lake. Among his grandchildren, to whom 
have been handed down his first experiences and sayings, he is stated to have 
said that his nearest settler was at Onondaga Hill. 

It is well at this late day to determine as far as is possible the name of the 
first settler of one hundred and six years ago. 

Elij.\h Bowen. — .Ajiother early settler was Elijah Bowen, who was born 
in Massachusetts in 1757, and died in this town May 20, 1807, aged fifty years. 
He with his family came here and located on Military Lot No. 39, on what has 
since been known as the C. C. WycofT farm, in 1794. The first record in the 
County Clerk's office shows that he purchased part of Military Lot No. 39, May 
22, i8cx), and paid therefor $125. He had a brother named Benajah, who lo- 
cated on the farm next east of the present Rickard farm. The log houses owned 
by these two brothers were the only ones in that vicinity, and the road leading 
to them was for a long time known as the "Bowen Road." Elijah first came 
here in the spring of 1793, with one yoke of oxen and a sled, and selected the 
land he wanted, then cut down some trees, and with the logs and some birch- 
bark constructed a temporary shelter for the season. During the subsequent 
summer. 1794. he built a log house, wherein to make a home for his family. In 
the summer of 1794 he brought his family to this town. On this occasion he 
came with two sleds, one yoke of oxen, and a pair of horses. His family con- 
sisted of his wife and six children, all of whom were born in Cheshire, Mass. 

The names of the children of Elijah Bowen are as follows: 

Valentine, born 1793, died in Pennsylvania, 1870, aged eighty-seven years. 

Sophronia, born 1784, died at the age of seventy-nine years. 

Elijah, bom 1787, died in Wisconsin, 1861, aged eighty-three years. 

Hannah, born 1785. She was nine years old when she came here. 

Delina, born 1788, married to Dr. David Kingsbury, of this town. 

Lucina, born 1788, died i8f>3, aged seventy-four years. 

Patsey, wife of Elijah Bowen, born 1867, died July 15, 1857, aged ninety 
years. 

After the Bowen family were scttlid in their new home, it became the head- 
quarters for all the emigrating families in that neighborhood. Families would 
drive into the dooryard, and make it their home until the men selected a loca- 
tion. There not being much extra space in the Bowen log house, the newcomers 
would sleep at night on the floor, or ground, if there was no floor, wherever 
they could find convenient space. 



14 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

According to the history of this family, Elijah Bowen had another child, 
a son, who was born in Pompey during the first year of his residence here. 
In connection therewith, it is stated that, but a short time before this son's birth, 
his mother went from their new home here, on horseback, to Pompey, where 
the family had friends, and the mother returned home when her baby was two 
weeks old. This son, Almeron Bowen, died September 27, 1825, aged thirty-one 
years. Although not exactly born in the town of Skaneateles, still, under the 
circumstances related above, he was really the first born of parents residing in 
this town. 

When Elijah Bowen arrived here in 1793, the titles to the military lots were 
at that time in much doubt. This was before the Board of Commissioners ap- 
pointed by the Legislature had determined all disputes as to the ownership 
of the several military lots in 1797. Bowen had located his land, but had not 
yet secured the title. It may, therefore, be said that Elijah Bowen was one of 
the first settlers of this town. 

Elijah Bowen, son of the above early settler, who came with his father from 
Cheshire, Mass., in 1794, and who was thirty-three years of age at that date, 
resided here for many years, and was a soldier of the War of 1812. He always 
was called Colonel Bowen. He afterward went to Wisconsin, where he died 
in 1861, aged eighty-three years. 

Benajah Bowen. — Benajah Bowen, brother to the elder Elijah, was born 
in Cheshire, Mass., in the year 1765. He came here and settled on the land 
next east of his brother, in the year 1795, bringing his wife and eight children — 
five boys and three girls. He removed with his family in 1817 from this place 
to Lysander, where he died. 

David Kingsley. — Dr. David Kingsley, who married Delina Bowen when he 
was thirty years old, was born in 1777. He practised medicine hereabout for 
nearly forty years, residing in Clintonville. He was contemporary with Dr. 
Samuel Porter and Dr. Hopkins. He died March 7, 1841, in the sixty-fourth 
year of his age. He was the father of the late Mrs. Schuyler Moore, of this 
village. 

Amasa Smith. — Amasa Smith was one of the earliest blacksmiths of this town, 
and made his home on the Bowen place for a number of years. 

. Winston Day, the First Merchant in this Town. — Winston Day was 
born July 11, 1767, and came to this town in 1796, when he was twenty-nine years 
of age. He built a storehouse of logs and split basswood slabs. There being 
neither boards nor sawed timber at that early period, split basswood was the 
only material that could be used. This store was situated on Military Lot No. 
27 when he first came here, and goods were sold in this building; but he subse- 
quently located a second store, in 1797, on the site formerly occupied by the 
Lake House, where he was set up in business by Judge Jedediah Sanger. 

His first log storehouse was built on land owned by John Watson, and was 
situated on a pathway through the forest leading from where the "Red House" 



HISTORV OF SK.INE.ITELES. 15 

uas afterward erected to the outlet of the lake. When he removed to the Lake 
House lot, John S. Fumian purchased the store and land, and afterward built 
on it a dwelling. 

By the record of the Board of Supervisors of the county, the town of Marcel- 
lus was represented by Winston Day as Supervisor in 1798. 

Winston Day was an enterprising business man in this town during thirty- 
five years, and he was the leading member of several firms at various periods, 
some of which were: Day & Sherwood, in 1806; W. Day & Co.; Day & Heco.x, 
in 1815. He owned and conducted potasheries on both the east and west banks 
of the lake. He died September 5, 1831, at the age of sixty-four years, and was 
buried in the old burying-ground. The headstone over his grave states that 
he was the first merchant in Skaneateles. 

He.nmjy Root. — Henry Root was born in Westfield, Hampshire County, Mass., 
November 21, 1788, left there October 13, 1804, and came to this place with his 
father. Joseph Root, together with his mother and three sisters (he had at 
that time seven sisters), came in his own conveyance and was two weeks on his 
journey. His father purchased 150 acres, and that was the land which composed 
the farm which Henry Root always lived upon Nathan Leonard was his nearest 
neighbor, and Bethuel Cole lived in a log house on the Luther Clark place. Cole 
had 200 acres. Nathan Leonard a few years later built the house now owned 
by Joab Clift, and Cole built the house now on the Luther Clark place. 

There was a cooper named Caulkins wlio lived where the Widow Briggs 
does. The next neighbor east on the road to the "Red House" was a man 
named Wilkie, who was a tailor, and lived on the same side of the road as John 
Thompson. Eli Clark, father of Foster Clark, lived, on the road leading to the 
lake, in a log house on the opposite side to where Foster Clark now resides. The 
next settler on that road was Simeon Hosnier, who then lived in a log house on 
what is now the Oscar Howard farm. Aaron Taylor was next east in a log 
house on the J. A. Root place. The John Briggs tavern was completed in 1806 
and opened as a tavern. Before its completion Briggs lived in a small dwelling 
next east of where the Sherwood tavern was built. Norman Leonard and Win- 
ston Day were the only merchants when Henry Root came, as near as he can 
recollect. Henry Root died at Hudson, Mich., February 25, 1873, aged eighty- 
five years. 

Asa M.\son. — Asa Mason came during the month of February, 1800, from 
Berkshire County, Mass., with his brother Avery Mason. The latter lived here 
six years, went to the Holland Purchase, and then returned to Massachusetts, 
where he died. 

Asa Mason came during the winter with an ox-tcam, a barrel of pork, and 
his farming tools, and purchased 480 acres on Military Lot No 68. This tract 
of land was 118 rods wide, and ran from the shore of Skaneateles I^ke to what 
is now known as Thorn Hill. In the fall of 1801 the Mason brothers cleared four 
acres and planted it with corn. Asa Mason then went back to Berkshire County 



1 6 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

and married. He had eight children — four boys and four girls — all of whom 
were born on that farm. Of these children only two are now living — J. L. 
Mason and Chloe Harvey, wife of Job Harvey. Asa had two wives. He lived 
to be eighty-three years old. J. L. Mason now owns 190 acres of the same 
farm. 

Nehemiah H. Earll. — The following narrative was made to the author 
personally by Mr. Earll. 

Nehemiah H. Earll was born in Whitehall, Washington County, N. Y., Octo- 
ber 5, 1787. Left there during the month of January, 1794, went to Onondaga 
Hollow, lived there one year, and came here in June, 1796. His father built 
a log house on the site of the house now occupied by a Mr. Samuels, now just be- 
low the "Red House," on the right-hand side. Afterward the present house was 
built by a Mr. Watson for himself. 

Josiah Weston was the son of Jonathan Weston, who was the first resident 
of the village of Skaneateles. He lived about the vicinity of the location of St. 
James' Church, in a log house, on the C. H. Poor place. 

The Mr. Watson (Daniel) mentioned above and Mr. Earll were boys of 
about the same age, and came together from Onondaga Hollow. They both 
dug up a bark canoe in the mud on the lake-shore, about where the outlet was 
at that period. This Watson boy with his parents' family came with the Earll 
family from Whitehall. 

In the spring of 1806 Nehemiah H. Earll went to study law with Daniel 
Kellogg. William Price and David Hyde were also in the same office studying 
law. The Kellogg law office was built soon after D. Kellogg came from Auburn, 
and while Daniel Kellogg was boarding with Dr. Samuel Porter. 

-Mr. Litherland used to read the church service for Mr. Vredenburg's 
family. He also read church services in the "Red House," where lived ]\Ir. 
Earll's father, who had moved into tVie "Red House" in the fall of 1799. The 
erection of the "Red House" was begun in 1798. Robert Earll was Nehemiah's 
father. 

The first dam across the outlet was raised for a saw-mill and grist-mill, by 
his father, Robert Earll, at the present location of Willow Glen. This was be- 
fore Judge Jedediah Sanger made the mill-dam at the outlet near the lake- 
shore. 

The first school was kept in a log house on the west side of the creek, which 
was built for the purpose by Robert Earll and the other settlers in the vicinity. 
Edey Whitman was the first school teacher in the town of Skaneateles, and 
Nehemiah H. Earll was a scholar. The next school was located about where 
Daniel Earll now lives. The teacher was Dr. Munger, who not only practised 
medicine, but kept this school. He built a little log house for the school. Two 
of his scholars were Thaddeus and Alanson Edwards. 

Dr. Munger had a son who practised medicine. His name was Dr. Jessee. 
He boarded with Mr. Earll's father, and practised around among the early set- 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. .7 

tiers. He was the first physician in the town, and before Dr. Samuel Porter 
came into the county. When Dr. Porter came. Dr. Munger moved to a place 
named " Wellington," between Elbridgc and Camillus, where he afterward 
died. 

The first blacksmith's name was Sabins. who afterward sold out to John 
Legg. who worked there in 1804, near his shop, in a log house. Sabins was intem- 
perate, and consequently poor. Sabins' shop was thirty rods northeast of Mr. 
Earll's house. This was before there was any blacksmith in the town of Skane- 
ateles. 

The first carpenter was named Lusk, who framed and built the "Red House" 
in 1798. He afterward returned to Whitestown, where he originally came from. 
Lusk also raised the first frame barn. 

Robert and Jonas Earll established the first distillery, near where Watson 
erected his house (this was not situated on the outlet), about the year 1800. 
The distillery was located a few rods higher up and a little north of Watson's 
house. The grain distilled was six bushels of wheat a day, and as fast as it could 
be made it was sold at seventy-five cents a gallon. It yielded about two gallons 
to a bushel of wheat, which was considered a good yield in those days. 

The first religious services were held in the ballroom of the "Red House" 
by traveling missionaries, mostly of Methodists and some Baptists. A cele- 
brated Baptist preacher, John Leland. of Berkshire, Mass., used to come here 
and preach. He had relatives about here. He was the bearer of a monster 
cheese which was presented to President Jeflferson by Berkshire County, Mass 

When Mr. Earll first came as a boy, where the village is now was then a 
wilderness in 1796. There was not a single house built there at the time, not 
even a tavern, which would naturally be first erected. 

Robert Earll, Nehemiah's father, was the first tanner in the county of Onon- 
daga. He brought hides from Whitehall, and these he tanned. He had no 
opposition in this business for many years. He established his tannery on 
Skancatelcs Outlet in 1797 or 1798. The stock he purchased in Whitehall. The 
tannery was located from four to si.x rods north of the bridge and south of the 
present factory, known as the D. Kellogg factory. 

Robert Earll also carried on shoemaking at that time, and afterward em- 
ployed many journeymen at the business. He was the first maker of boots and 
shoes hereabout. 

The first tailors in this section were an old Englishman named O'Keefe and 
his son in Skaneateles. His shop was near the big elm-tree, corner of Jordan 
and Academy streets. 

The William Price heretofore mentioned as studying law with Mr. Earll in 
his younger days and with Daniel Kellogg was the son of Judge Prire. of Owasco. 
He was considered the smartest young man in the office, but lie afterward became 
intemperate, and consequently degraded and died a wreck. 

N'ehemiah H. Earll died at Mottville, August 26, 1872, at the age of eighty- 



i8 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

five years. The following notice of his death was published in the Skaneateles 
Democrat, August 30, 1872 : 

"Death of Hon. Nehemi.\h H. Earll. — Under our obituary head this week 
will be found the announcement of the death of Hon. Nehemiah H. Earll, at 
Mottville, on Saturday last, August 26, 1872. The Syracuse Standard of Mon- 
day has the following just criticism upon Mr. Earll's life and character, which 
we lay before our readers: 'J'-i'lge Earll had lived in comparative retirement for 
many years, but the mere mention of his name will revive many reminiscences 
in the minds of those who are acquainted with his career, and will refresh a 
knowledge of our local history with those who are at all acquainted with its 
scope or details. Judge Earll was a very prominent citizen of Onondaga. Few 
of her inhabitants have conferred upon her greater honor or had more influence 
in molding her destiny. No one has held more places of trust or honor, or 
brought to the discharge of his duties higher talents," a more scrupulous fidelity, 
or greater dignity of character. Nehemiah Earll was born October 5, 1787, at 
Whitehall, Washington County, and removed to this county with his father, 
General Robert Earll, in 1793, residing at Onondaga Valley about nine months, 
when his father went to the town of Skaneateles, where he lived until 1S04. In 
that year young Earll entered Fairfield Academy, remaining there two years 
and leaving the institution with a high reputation for scholarship. After leav- 
ing the Academy he commenced reading law in the office of Daniel Kellogg, at 
Skaneateles. He remained with Mr. Kellogg, himself one of the ablest lawyers 
the county has produced, and pursued his further studies at Onondaga Valley 
with Thaddeus M. Wood and George B. Hall, whose names are intimately iden- 
tified with the sharp legal contests of our early period. He was admitted to 
practise as Attorney in the Court of Common Pleas in 1809, the curriculum 
of preparation for the law being somewhat longer than it now is. Shortly after 
his admission he removed to the village of Salina (now First Ward), and en- 
tered into partnership with Judge Daniel Mosely and John P. Sherwood. He 
was admitted to practise in the Supreme Court in 1812, having then completed 
the full course of seven years' study required for admission to the highest courts. 
In that year, however, he dropped his brief, and entered the service of his country, 
in the war with Great Britain, as adjutant of Colonel Fleming's regiment. During 
nearly the entire period of the regiment's service he was stationed at Oswego, and 
at the close of the war he was honorably discharged. The veterans of 1812 
who remain with us are but a remnant now. One by one they have dropped 
away. Let us honor their memories as of those who did us patriotic service in 
a day when the country had the fullest need of all her sons of heroic mold. In 
1814 Judge Earll resumed the practise of law at Onondaga Hill, where he rapidly 
gained reputation and position. In 1816 he was appointed postmaster at Onon- 
daga Hill, and in the same year was elected Justice of the Peace, which latter 
office he held by successive elections until 1830. He was also during this period 
a Master in Chancery for six years. In 1823 he was appointed First Judge of 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 19 

the Court of Common Picas, which he lield until 1831, when he resigned and 
was made Superintendent of the Onondaga Salt Springs, which he held until 
1836. During his careful and exact management of the salt reservation, the 
manufacture of our staple was largely increased, and the rights of the producer 
and of the State were both rigidly protected. In 1836 he resigned as superin- 
tendent and went into the milling business with his brother Hezckiah at Jordan, 
when he sold out and came to our city (then village) to live. In 1838 he was 
elected by the Democracy Representative from the Twenty-third District (Madi- 
son and Onondaga) in the Twenty-sixth Congress. He served one term with 
credit to himself and honor to his constituency, and was renominated in 1840; 
but the mutations in politics then reversed the Democratic majority in the district, 
and he was defeated by the Whig candidate, the Hon. Victory Birdseye. Since 
that time he had been a private citizen, residing in Syracuse and the town of 
Salina until i860, when upon the death of his wife he removed to Motlville, in 
this county, and lived there respected and beloved by all who knew him, as an 
honest man, a kind neighbor, and a consistent Christian. Such in brief is the 
history of one whose record has been of the finest character, and whose services 
entitle his memory to the most lasting consideration. We should be pleased if 
some of our older citizens who knew him and the times in which he lived would 
add their contributions to this necessarily imperfect sketch.' " 

Nath.\n Kelsev. — Nathan Kelsey was a resident here in the year 1798. 
There was an early brickmaker here named Kelsey. It is not known whether 
Nathan was his given name or not; but the brickmaker identified himself by 
branding his name on all the bricks he made, and Kelsey bricks are often found 
when the old large chimneys are torn down in this village and town. Nothing 
more is known of Nathan Kelsey than his well-made bricks. 

The Cuykendall F.\.milv. — The first Cuykendall that settled in this town 
was Henr)'. He was born in the town of Minisink, Orange County, in 1778, 
came to Owasco in the spring of the year 1800, resided there six years, and in 
1806 moved to Skaneateles, about one and half miles north of Mandana, on 
the farm now occupied by the Huff family. Henry's family consisted of nine 
children — five boys and four girls — of which only two children survive. 

Moses Cuykendall was born in the town of Minisink, came to the town of 
Sempronius in 1809, learned the blacksmith's trade with his uncle, and in 1815 
came into this town and purchased fifty acres of land, worked at his trade ami 
on his farm until his death in 1859. His family consisted of ten children — six 
boys and four girls — of whom all are dead but one. 

Van Etten Family. — Jacob W. \'an Etten was born in Minisink in 1770, 
came to the town of Skaneateles. and purchased a farm north of Mandana, 
where he died in 1850. He had (\\c cliildren — one son and four daughters — 
of whom all arc dead but the youngest daughter, who now resides in Minnesota. 

David Welch. — David Welch came to this town from Fort .\nn, Washing- 
ton County, in 1798, and settled on Military Lot No. 73, on land which is now 



20 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

the first farm this side of Mandana. He was a private in the Revolutionary 
War, and was at the battle of Bennington, where he was wounded in the shoul- 
der. He raised the first frame barn in 1800. 

Samuel Welch. — Samuel Welch, brother of David, came here in 1800 from 
the same place. He was born in 1773, was twenty-seven years old when he 
came, and arrived here in the month of March, with two yoke of oxen and a 
wooden shod sled. His son Samuel was then three years old. He came by way 
of Oneida, and through Marcellus. He served in the War of 1812. A car- 
penter by the name of Johnson built a frame barn for him in 1804. 

The first schoolhouse in that vicinity was in a log house, and was on the 
site of the present tavern. Daniel G. Burroughs was the first school teacher, and 
young Samuel Welch was one of the pupils. A Miss Hall and Miss Gleason 
afterward taught school in this schoolhouse. Religious services were held in 
barns by traveling missionaries. Israel Sabins, a blacksmith and tinker, lived 
on the Hodges place. Cole was also a blacksmith and lived on the Tunis Van 
Houghten farm. This was the next farm south of Welch's. Tunis Van 
Houghten was among the first, if not the very first, supervisors of the town of 
Skaneateles. The Town Records show that he was supervisor in 1836, in which 
he was succeeded by Chester Clark. Mr. Van Houghten evidently was a man of 
good education, as some very old books here show that he set the pattern l)y 
which all the records have since been kept. 

James Gardner first settled on the Dor Austin farm, and Sam Hardy was on 
the same farm previously. Colonel Burroughs was on the farm next north of 
Samuel Welch. Judge Kellogg had a farm west of the Gravitt place. He after- 
ward went to Kelloggsville and kept store there. This place took its name from 
him. ' Samuel Robertson had a farm west of David Welch, and William Watts 
was west of Robertson, and Edward Greenman next west of Watts. 

John G. Garlock built a store on the corners on the east side of the road, 
lie commanded a company in the War of 1812. The store was afterward kept 
by John Miles, and also by Seth Morgan. 

This statement was made by Mr. Samuel Welch, now a resident of Auburn, 
and formerly well known here as the father of Mrs. Massilon W. Fay. He is 
now eighty-four years old. 

Benjamin Nye.— Benjamin Nye, father of John M. Nye, came to Skaneateles 
from the town of Lee, Mass., in the year 1798. He purchased four acres in this 
village, near the locality of the house now occupied by John Kellogg. Here 
he constructed a log house for his residence. He was a brickmaker by trade, 
and located a brick-yard on the shore of the lake, in the vicinity of where the late 
Julius Earll's boat-house is situated. It is said that he made the first brick ever 
produced here. After carrying on this business for four years, he sold his land 
for one hundred dollars per acre, and then purchased one hundred acres on the 
east shore of the lake. There was no road at that time on the east side of the 
lake, consequently he had to go from day to day to his land to clear a place on 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

which to build a log house. He had also to move his family and furniture in his 
boat after he iiad finished his log cabin. Some years later, when it became neces- 
sary to raise money to make his last payment for the land, having no financial 
friends nearer than Utica, it became necessary for some one of his family to go 
to Ltica, where his wife had relatives. So Mrs. Nye undertook the journey, 
thinking that she could leave her household cares with less loss than her husband, 
as he was constantly engaged in clearing up his land preparatory to planting a 
crop of corn on which to subsist his family and stock. The wife started on horse- 
back under unusual difficulties, as there were no roads through the country, and 
the route was only by marked trees ; but she persevered, and arrived in due time 
at Utica, found her relatives, obtained the money, and returned in the same man- 
ner and by the same route to her home in the woods, and made her husband glad 
with her success in procuring the necessary mOney to make the final payment. 
No one nowadays can imagine the deprivation and inconvenience endured by 
the hardy settlers in this section of country. 

Some years later, and after Mr. Nye had accumulated some hard-earned 
money, he began to build a frame dwelling for his family, and, making use of 
his trade as a brickmaker, he made his brick, burned his lime, and made his 
shingles ; but, in other respects laboring under the disadvantage of the want of 
other mechanics, he did not complete his house entirely, and he moved his family 
into it while in an unfinished state. Soon after he contracted a severe cold, 
from the effects of which he never recovered, although he lived some years after- 
ward. He was never able to completely finish the house in consequence of poor 
health. Me died in 1829. 

Hezeki.xh Earll. — The Earlls emigrated from Wales to Nova Scotia at 
quite an early day, and thence to the New England States, and to the eastern 
section of New York State, near Lake Champlain. 

In the winter of 1794-95. Robert Earll and his brother Abijah came to the 
town of Skaneateles, and settled on Military Lot No. 27. They were the sons 
of Daniel Earll, Sr., who first came from Whitehall, Washington County, N. Y., 
and settled at Onondaga Hollow, in the year 1792. He had eight sons, all hardy, 
enterprrsing men. He died in the year 1817, at the advanced age of eighty-eight 
years. 

Robert Earll had si.x sons, one of whom, Hezekiah Earll, is the subject of 
this sketch. He was born about the year 1790, and identified himself with the his- 
tory of the town of Skaneateles as one of its most successful business men. He en- 
gaged in many business enterprises, which were accomplished with conciseness 
and brevity, and he always had a large following of personal friends. He was 
for a number of years connected with the Auburn Exchange Bank, and at one 
time was its President. At an early day he was the owner of the farm now occn- 
picd by Emerson Adams. He built the dwelling-house that is there, and John 
Billings was the carpenter. Hezekiah Earll died October 30. 1S63. at the age of 
seventv-three vears. 



2 2 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Judge Nehemiah H. Earll was the eldest brother of Hezekiah Earll, a sketch 
of whose life is given in the preceding part of this chapter. 

Hezekiah Earll had seven children, three of whom died in infancy. One of 
his sons, George H. Earll, was a successful business man, and connected in many 
enterprises with his father. In all of his varied public and private transactions, 
he manifested sound judgment, strict integrity, and ability. He died in the 
year 1873. 

Julius Earll, the eldest son of Hezekiah Earll, was born in this town, 1818. 
In his youth he received a thorough academic education, and subsequently studied 
law in the office of Sandford & Moseley, and later with Sherwood & Green in 
Buffalo, and was subsequently admitted to the bar. Instead of pursuing the 
practise of law, he entered into the manufacturing business, and was prominently 
identified with that and other business enterprises, which were always eminently 
successful. His life was a remarkably busy one. Strong common sense and 
unfaltering energy were his predominating characteristics. He was a man of 
the strictest integrity and of exceptional business ability, which he turned to good 
account for many others who sought his counsel and advice in matters of busi- 
ness importance. He won and retained warm friendships, universal respect, and 
high esteem by all classes of his fellow citizens. He died July 26, 1876, in the 
midst of an active and prosperous life. 

Abijah E.M^LL. — Abijah Earll was the son of Daniel Earll, Sr. In the win- 
ter of 1794-95, Abijah Earll came to this town and settled on Military Lot No. 
19, on the old Genesee Road, about a half mile east of what is now "Willow Glen," 
on the farm now owned by his grandson J. Horatio Earll. There Abijah built 
a log house. His brother Robert came here at the same time, and settled near 
by on Military Lot No. 27, where he erected a log house on the site of what has 
since been known as the "Red House." 

In the year 1818 Abijah Earll was elected a Member of Assembly. Abijah 
Earll had five sons and four daughters. Col. Daniel Earll, his eldest 
son, was born August 26, 1803, and was but si.xteen years of age when his father 
died, in 18 19. He then assumed charge of his father's business, operating his 
father's mills — saw-mills, linseed-oil mill, and grist-mill — all located v^here the 
Lakeside Paper Mill is now, besides running the farm. Later he became in- 
terested as either owner or partner in several grist-mills on the outlet of Skan- 
eateles Lake, including the mill at Skancateles. 

In 1857, Colonel Earll and his sons Augustus, Leonard, and Charles Tallman, 
of Syracuse, established a distillery on the site formerly owned by his father, 
and now the Lakeside Paper Mill, which they operated under the firm name of 
Earlls & Tallman until about 1870, when Colonel Earll withdrew from the 
firm and retired to his farm, the place of his birth. Here he died at the age 
of eighty-six. 

Chester Parsons. — Chester Parsons was born in Westhampton, Mass., 
January, 1791. and moved to Skaneateles in the month of February, 1822. He 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. ^3 

purchased his farm in 1821 from Jiidah Pierce, who was known in early times as 
Major Pierce. At that time Colonel Livingston, United States Marshal of North- 
em New York, occupied the place now owned by David Waldron, formerly the 
Dyer Brainerd place. Thaddeus Edwards lived on the Gale or Ellery farm. 
Gibbs & Horton. Phares Gould, and Winston Day were the merchants in the 
village. Colonel Bellamy sold his farm to Captain Lee the same year. Captain 
Lee built his first sail-boat, or began it, the same year. It was an open boat, 
arranged with air-tight tanks as precautions for safety in case of disaster. The 
post-office was where the Episcopal church is now, and C. J. Burnett was Post- 
master. Rev. Mr. Stockton preached at the Presbyterian church opposite the 
present Pardee place. He did not stay very long after that time. Rev. Alex- 
ander Co wen was the next preacher. A school was kept in the brick school house 
across the bridge in 1828, and another on the hill near the meeting-house. 

Mr. Dascomb was the keeper of the tavern on the site now occupied by 
Hanmtr's store. Sherwood kept the old tavern where the l^ackwood House is 
now. Sackett lived in the house now occupied by Packwood. Alanson Edwards 
kept the tavern which was then on the corner of East Genesee Street and the 
East Lake Road, and his son Thaddeus attended the bar. This tavern was after- 
ward destroyed by fire, and never rebuilt. Ebenezer Sessions lived south of Mr. 
Parsons, near the small stream of water, in a house painted red. Deacon Amasa 
Sessions lived on what is known as the Bradford place. John I^egg had his hlack- 
■smith shop on the Dr. Bartlett place. A Mr. Potter did woodwork on wagons 
for Mr. Legg. At about that period John Legg had purchased the Norman 
Leonard place, and Legg's shop was then moved on the lake-shore. This was 
about 1821. Philo Dibble was the village harness-maker. 

Chester Parsons was a real, practical temperance man. Always making it a 
point of principle not to sell any of his farm produce for distilling purposes, he 
would rather be satisfied with a less price for his grain in order to place it in 
the line of food for man or beast. He was a man of sterling character, and was 
always highly respected by not only his immediate neighbors, but tlie community 
generally. He left Skaneatcles in 1854, and died in Syracuse in 1874. aged 
eighty-three years. 

The above statement was the result of a personal interview with the author. 

SiL.\s Busn. — Silas Bush came from Sheffield. Mass., in 1797, on foot, witli 
William Chatfield Harmon. They were both carpenters by trade. Soon after 
they arrived, they raised the first frame barn at Hardenburgh's Corners, now 
Auburn. Silas Bush purchased 300 acres of land on Military Lot No. 12 He 
died in 1836, aged sixty-three years. 

His son, Silas Bush, who now resides at Shcpard Settlement, was Iwrn .\pril 
4. 1812. He is now in his eighty-eighth year. 

Amos P.xrdee. — Amos Pardee's father, Charles Pardee, was born in Norfolk, 
Litchfield County, Conn., in 1760. He had ten children, of whom six lived to 
become adults. He emigrated to this town September 27, 1804, with his family, 



24 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

but came previously during the month of June and purchased land for a farm. 
He was accompanied by his six adult children — two sons and four daughters. 
The sons were: Amos and Charles L. The daughters were: Lucy, Charlotte, 
Ciorinda, and Harriette. 

Amos, the subject of this sketch, was born at Norfolk, Conn., January i6, 
1788. He came with his father in 1804, at the age of sixteen years. He drove 
an ox-team with a two-wheeled cart, in which was stowed all of the household 
furniture of the family. His father drove a horse-team. Besides their furni- 
ture, they brought a quince-tree, a sweet-flag root, and a peony, all in flower- 
pots. The family was sixteen days on the journey from Connecticut, and brought 
four oxen and three horses. 

Charles Pardee, the father, settled on what has since been known as "The 
Perry Foote farm." He lived and died on that farm. Charles L., Amos' brother, 
went West, and was known to be living in 1863. Of the sisters, Lucy married a 
Rathbun. The other three are dead. Charles Pardee died in the year 1836, at 
the age of seventy-six years. He had been a soldier of the Revoluntary War, was 
wounded in his arm, and received a pension of ninety-six dollars a year. 

Amos Pardee, the subject of this article, purchased the farm on which he 
resided, about the year 1813, and built the dwelling-house in 1828, so it will be 
observed that at the date of his death, January 16, 1878, he had owned that farm 
sixty-five years. 

While he was a young man he learned the trade of wool-carder at the estab- 
lishment of the Skaneateles Manufacturing Company, which was located at what 
is now known as Willow Glen. He worked at this business twelve or fourteen 
years, and was considered the best workman in that line of business in this part 
of the country. Wool-carding was at that period all done by hand, as machinery 
had not been invented for that purpose. Since that time he had devoted his ener- 
gies to cultivating and improving his farm. 

He was always a great reader, and his memory of events and of persons was 
unusually retentive. During the ten years previously to his death he had been 
confined to his home, having infirmities which made it necessary to nurture him 
with great care. During this confinement he was always ready to receive the 
calls of his old friends and acquaintances. His mind was active and bright, and 
his conversation interesting on all subjects. 

Within a few years previously to his death he had often expressed a wish 
that his days might be lengthened, so that he might reach the full term of ninety 
years. This wish was fulfilled, for he passed away on his birthday, having 
reached his ninetieth year, January 16, 1878. 

The above was the result of a jiersonal interview with tlie author. 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



CHAPTER IV. 
Continuation of tiik History ok the Pioneers. 

Al.\.\son Benso.n. — (This statement is from a personal interview. I — Alan- 
son Benson was born in the town of Mendon, Worcester County, Mass., I'ebru- 
ary 12, 1792. He left there in 1797 with his father, Stephen Benson, and family 
•of ten children — four girls, all married but one at the time the family came, and 
si.x sons. The family came on an ox-sled during the month of February from 
Westmoreland, near l"tica. It was two years from the time he left Massachusetts 
before he came here to settle. 

He settled on Military Lot No. 84, southwest corner, and purchased the whole 
six hundred acres, settling his children on the lot. He bought Lot 84 from 
Garret H. Van Waggoner, of New York, who bought it from John Martin, the 
soldier. The oldest son negotiated the sale in New York, and while there took 
the yellow fever, and soon after his return home died of the fever. Alanson Ben- 
son paid two dollars an acre for the six hundred acres, being twelve hundred dol- 
lars for the lot. It took about all the money he had to pay for it. 

He came from Utica, stayed at Oneida overnight, put up at a log tavern at 
Marcellus, and passed over a traveled road to Skaneateles. He went through 
here and crossed the outlet where the bridge is now, passed over the driftwood 
which had accumulated in the creek, followed the west shore of the lake to about 
the brook on Russel Frost's farm, and thence to Lot No. 84, guided by marked 
trees through the woods. He brought with him two cows. 

There were at that time only two log houses on the west side of the lake, one 
of which was at about the location of the Octagon schoolhouse, the other near 
Holcomb Peck's, on the corner of the road that leads to Owasco Baptist meeting- 
house. 

When he first went through tlie village, he saw two or three log houses, one 
of them a tavern, and also noticed a frame house in process of erection, the frame 
being up. This was about where the Lake House was afterward built. Some 
Indians were seen traveling around and hunting. They belonged to Cayuga 
Lake, were dressed Indian fashion, and were very friendly. There were plenty 
of deer around. 

The first religious services, "Reformed Dutch," were in a log house on the 
shore of Owasco Lake, Reverend P.rokaw being the Dominic. The first doctor 
Avas Van Horlin, at Owasco Lake, near the meeting-house. Colonel Hardcnburgh 
nltended this church. The trading was done with Winston Day. at Skaneateles. 
The first burying-ground was at Owasco, about a mile south of the meeting- 
house. 



26 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

A " dugout" of whitewood, which was made by the elder brother of Alanson, 
was used on the lake, and with it their grists were carried to Skaneateles from 
Mandana. 

About a year or two afterward the Welch family settled north of Mandana. 
Jones, who came in 1806, and Burroughs settled about Mandana. The first log 
tavern at Mandana was kept by Sam Welch. The first blacksmith at Owasco was 
named Dates. 

Judge Price, the Brinckerhoffs, and the De Puys were in the town of Owasco 
before Benson came. De Puy or the Brinckerhoffs were the first settlers be- 
tween Owasco and Skaneateles Lake. 

Ch.arles J. Burnett, Sr.— Charles J. Burnett, Sr., was born in London. 
England, in the year 1774, and was connected with the Burnetts of Leys of 
Aberdeen, Scotland, a family originally of Saxon origin, and was a lineal 
descendant of Bishop Gilbert Burnet, the historian of "The Reformation in 
England," and a brother of the Rev. I. B. Burnet, Rector of the parish of Hough- 
ton, Hints, England. 

In early life he left London, and entered the mercantile house of a relative at 
Lisbon, Portugal. After residing there for a while, and also at Malaga and at 
Gibraltar, in Spain, he returned to England. He soon after came to this country, 
and settled at Skaneateles in the year 1803, with one of the Dutch merchants of 
New York, William J. Vredenburg, with whom he had already previously had 
business relations while in Spain and Portugal, and whose daughter he soon 
after married. The marriage service was held ninety-seven years ago, in the 
parlor of the house in which he always lived until his death, and from the same 
parlor his remains were borne to the church where the funeral services were held. 

He held the office of postmaster of Skaneateles from 1817 to 1843, ^ period 
of twenty-six years, through the administrations of Presidents Monroe, Adam.s. 
Jackson, Van Buren, and Harrison. He had been a warden of St. James' Church 
since 1824, a period of thirty-two years. He died in this village, February 16. 
1856, aged eighty-two years. 

D.\.NiKL Kellogg. — Daniel Kellogg, one of the early and most distinguished 
citizens of the county of Onondaga, was born April 19, 1780, at Williamstown, 
Mass. After two years at Williams College of his native town, at the age of 
seventeen, he entered the law office of Abraham Van Vechten, of Albany, N. Y., 
one of the most distinguished lawyers of his time. Here young Kellogg laid the 
foundation of those high legal attainments for which he became so distinguished 
later in life. He was admitted to the Bar in October, 1800, and in the following 
year determined to win fortune in " the far West," which, early in the nineteenth 
century, held out as alluring prospects for young men of talent and enterprise 
as the farther West did to young men .similarly equijiped a generation or 
two later. 




fllf 



KAN' IK I, KKI.LOr.C, 




5 £ 
a J, 
J) - 




26 b HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

His father, a farmer in not too affluent circumstances, died when Mr. Kellogg 
was still quite young, and he therefore found himself when entering upon the 
great business of life destitute of all resources except the abilities with which 
nature had endowed him — resources which, however, proved of more value to 
him than gold. In the spring of 1801 we hear of his setting out on horseback 
for the western part of New York. A single pair of saddlebags afforded 
ample accommodations for all his worldly possessions, and that, too, without 
inconvenience to either horse or rider. In after-times, when in the enjoyment of 
the abundant fruits of his industry and talents, he delighted to recount the amusing 
incidents of this journey, and to portray in lively colors the vexations and dif- 
ficulties that surrounded him in his early career. 

He settled in the village of Auburn, then only a small hamlet of a few scat- 
tering houses. In 1802 he married Miss Laura Hyde, of Auburn, and in the 
spring of 1803 he removed to Skaneateles, which thereafter became his home. 

Though always taking a lively interest in every important public question, 
he never sought political preferment ; yet he was held in such esteem in the 
community that his fellow townsmen frequently called upon his services in 
positions of trust and honor. In 1813 he was appointed District Attorney for the 
counties of Cayuga, Cortland, and Onondaga, an office that he administered 
with characteristic ability for three years. 

In 1818 he was elected to the presidency of the bank of Auburn, and for 
eighteen years he had the principal direction of that institution, the affairs of 
which, when he was called upon to administer them, he found in a state of almost' 
hopeless confusion. His clear insight and inborn business faculty, coupled 
with untiring industry, served him admirably in bringing order out of chaos 
in the conditions of his bank, and in establishing its credit on an enduring basis. 
During his administration the country was several times swept with panics 
and commercial depression ; yet the Bank of Auburn withstood every shock, and 
no one ever questioned its solvency while Daniel Kellogg stood at its head. Not 
only did he maintain the integrity of his bank, but on more than one occasion 
he was enabled to save large local interests from ruin, and so to avert distress 
among the workmen depending upon the milling industries of Skaneateles and 
its surroundings for their livelihood. 

.\s an advocate his fame spread far beyond the county in which he labored. 
With a mind that was profound rather than brilliant, he addressed himself to 
the reason, rather than to the imagination, and, contenting himself with the 
forcible and plain exhibition of truth, was careless of oratorical graces and 
elegance of style. As might naturally be expected of a mind thus constituted 
and disciplined, his bent was decidedly practical, and theories, however specious 
and imposing, seldom found favor with him until they had been subjected to the 
searching approval of his own judgment. With him a verbal promise or 
engagement was ever regarded as obligatory — if anything, as more sacred than if 
reduced to writing: and, considering the extent and variety of his business, the 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 27 

aociiracv witli which he rcmemhiTcil such cnijagt'iiicnts was htile short of phe- 
nomenal. Few men in any station ever worked more assiduously or for a greater 
number of hours ; nevertheless, he was ever ready to respond to the calls of 
friendship, and no man took greater delight in the social circle or could impart 
a larger share to the fund of common enjoyments. 

On the announcement of Mr. Kellogg's death. May 4, 1836, hy his former 
law clerk, William H. Seward, the Court of Chancery for the Seventh Circuit, 
then in session in Auburn, N. Y., adjourned, and a committee of the members of 
the Bar was appointed to draft suitable resolutions. 

In i)ers(>n Mr. Kellogg was rather above the common height, well formed, 
and imposing, and decidedly prepossessing in his appearance and address, which 
latter was uniformly courteous and engaging, winning for him the respect and 
favorable regard of all who approached him. 

The following statement is part of an excerpt taken from the Albany Jour- 
nal: 

" Daniel Kellogg was decidedly the greatest financial man in all the State of 
New York in his day. and I do not think him excelled now, all things taken into 
consideration. My father (who owned by contract all the Sanger property) sold 
to Mr. Kellogg the point of land on the hill, on which he built the one-anda-half- 
story house and office as they now are. (I presume Mr. Sanger gave the deed.) 
After Mr. Kellogg had completed these, he told my father he was then worth, 
besides them, about twelve hundred dollars. He said about that time, if he 
could acquire ten thousand dollars, he would be satisfied. But he got the track 
well laid, and his engine in good working order, and kept it well oiled, and it ran 
easily, steadily, and at a good speed. Had he lived he would have been a Roths- 
child in his way. What he had he made himself; and. while he made for himself, 
he upheld and enabled others to make. The Beeches without Daniel Kellogg as 
a prop would have been bankrupt more than once in the milling business, so 
also would Isaac Sherwood, and many others I could name. Any observing man, 
having business with him, could easily learn valuable lessons from his wa\ of 
doing things. His system and his practise were perfect, and success was a 
natural consequence. About the time Mr. Kellogg built his house and office, Colonel 
Vredenburg commenced the large house, now the Leitch place. The ground was 
then the cemetery, but the silent occupants were removed to their present rest- 
ing-place. Whoever lives to sec that house taken down will see timber enough 
to build at least three houses of equal size in modern style. The building was 
let hy the job, but the undertaker and his successor failed, and it was a long 
time before the house was completed." 

Jkdedi.xh S.wger. — Jedediah Sanger was a very prominent individual here 
among our early settlers, but so far as can be ascertained he was not a permanent 
resident. His residence was at Whitestown. Oneida County. N. Y. He was 
much interested here, however, as he had purchased this military lot from John 



2 8 HISTORY OP SKANEATELES. 

Simonds, the Revolutionary soldier, who drew Lot No. 36, which is the lot on 
which this village is located. What he gave for it the author has thus far been 
unable to ascertain. 

Sanger constructed the first dam across the outlet, about 1797, the remains 
of which can now be seen just north of the present bridge, on the west side of the 
dam. Judge Sanger (for he had that distinction) very early recognized the 
future possibilities of this location, and directed nearly all of the first improve- 
ments. 

He erected the first saw-mill and a grist-mill. All these structures were built 
by Jessee Kellogg, into whose possession they subsequently came. Jessee Kellogg 
was the father of Dorastus Kellogg, and also of John R. Kellogg (they were half- 
brothers). John R. Kellogg came here with his parents in 1799. His recollections 
are given on pages 44 and 49. 

Judge Sanger caused village lots to be laid out very early by Mr. Geddes, the 
surveyor. These lots were termed "Lots at the north end of Skaneateles Lake." 
They were each one hundred feet front and twenty rods in depth, containing one 
acre each. No map of these lots was ever deposited in the office of the County 
Clerk, but deeds conveying them by numbers are on record in the County 
Clerk's office. 

Judge Sanger was also the purchaser of Military Lot No. 44 from the soldier 
John Shultz, and he probably purchased other military lots in this town. 

The following is a synopsis of a sale of one of these village lots by Judge 
Sanger : 

"January 18, 1800, Sanger to Levi Sartwell : consideration, $60. Village Lot 
No. 10, and 13^4 acres in Military Lot No. 36." 

Another transfer of same land : 

"July 18, 1803, Levi Sartwell to William J. Vredenburg: consideration, 
300 pounds. Village Lot No. 10, being one of the village lots so called, con- 
taining 13^ acres of land, being the same which was conve\ed to said Levi 
by Jedediah Sanger, and containing the house," etc. 

The house here named was built by Levi Sartwell in the early part of the 
year 1800, and it was used as a tavern until its sale to William J. Vredenburg, 
July 18, 1803. This house, now known as the Burnett dwelling, and located 
just opposite the Episcopal church, is the oldest house in the village, and has quite 
a history. 

Judge Sanger continued to sell these lots at the north end of Skaneateles 
Lake until August, 1803, when he sold all the remainder of his holdings to 
William J. Vredenburg, as follows : 

"August 31, 1803, Jedediah Sanger to William J. Vredenburg; consideration, 
$4,000. Beginning at the outlet of Skaneateles Lake, on the northern boundary 
of said lot (36), thence east along same line 216 rods 13 links to the northwest 
corner of Nathaniel Eell's land (which is now known as the Charles Pardee 
place), and by various courses and measurements to ' The Highway ' (not copied 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 29 

here as beiiifj unnecessary), containing 120 acres. Together with such part of 
said lake inckidcd in the original survey of said Lot No. 36. In presence of ; 
Ebenezer R. Hawley and Charles J. Burnett." 

Isaac Sherwood. — Isaac Sherwood was born in Williamstown, Mass., Octo- 
ber 12, 1769. It is not known when he first came to this town, but he was here 
previously to 1804, and was over thirty years of age when he settled here. 

He was the great stage-coach proprietor, whose talents were as celebrated in 
those days for staging as Commodore Vanderbilt's have since been for railroading. 
Me was said to have weighed three hundred and eighty pounds. 

His first effort in business was in carrying the mail on foot from Onondaga 
llill to the different settlements west of that place, including Skaneateles. From' 
this small beginning he rapidly advanced, so as to first own a horse, then a horse 
and wagon, and finally a stage-coach, with which to carry both mails and passen- 
gers. He had a wonderful perseverance in all his undertakings. As early as 
1818 he was extensively engaged in this business. It is stated on the authority 
of the late David Hall that Sherwood had a contract for a short time with the 
Syracuse & Auburn Railroad Company. After the road-bed had been completed, 
and before the flat iron rails had been laid, Sherwood leased the road for a short 
time, placed wooden rails on the string-pieces, and operated the road by horse- 
power, until the company were enabled to procure their rails. Sherwood's head- 
quarters during the time his stage business was the most extensive and prosper- 
ous were at Skaneateles. He then owned the bid tavern where the Packwood 
House is now located, and had his office there. He did not personally attend to 
the duties of landlord, but left that to his son Milton. In order to show the 
extent of his stage business during his residence here, the following copy of a 
contract with the Post Office Department is given : 

" No. 510. From New York to Albany and back, daily, thirty hours. 

■ No. 584. From Utica to Sacket's Harbor and back, daily, fifty hours. 
" No. 587. From Albany to Buffalo and back, twice a day. 

" No. 589. From Albany to Auburn and back, forty-eight hours. 

" No. 665. From Elbridge to Rochester and back, twice a day, seventeen 
hours. 

" No. 672. From Rochester to Lewiston and back, ilaily, six hours. 

■ No. 697. From Buflfalo to Youngstown and back, daily. 

" Supplying all the intermediate offices, and conveying the mail in four-horse 
post-coaches, at the rate of fifteen thousand one hundred and thirty-four and fifty- 
hundredths dollars ($15,134.50) for every quarter of a year, making sixty thousand 
five hundred and thirty-eight dollars ($60,538), to be paid in drafts <in [wstmastors 
or in money, at the option of the Postmaster-General, in the months of May, 
August, November, and February. This contract shall commence on the first 
day of January. 1833, and continue until the 31st day of December, four years. 

" No. 574. From Denmark to Ogdensburg, three times a week, at the rate 



30 HISTORY Of SKANEATELES. 

of two hundred and fifty-two dollars for every quarter of a year, making one 
thousand and eight dollars, to be paid as above. 

" No. 587. Leave Albany daily during the suspension of steamboat naviga- 
tion on the Hudson, at 3 P. M., and arrive at Buffalo in fifty hours. But during, 
steamboat navigation, leave Albany at 9 A. M., and arrive at Buffalo in fifty 
hours. 

" Second mail. Leave Albany daily at 9 P. M., and arrive at Buffalo the third 
day by 9 P. M. Leave Buffalo same time, and arrive at Albany same time." 

Sherwood did not, of course, own all the stages on these different routes, 
but had an interest in nearly all of them, and some he owned entirely. He had 
agents in all of the principal cities and villages in the State where his mail con- 
tracts were located. He had a partner, Amasa Parker, who attended to the 
business in Utica, who was a brother-in-law of Winston Day, our first merchant, 
he having married Day's sister. Sherwood removed from this village to Auburn, 
about the time he built the Auburn House at that place. 

The great and enterprising mail contractor and stage operator of those early 
days merits the space here given him and his business in this volume. Isaac Sher- 
wood died April 24, 1840, aged seventy-one years. 

His successor was his son, John Milton Sherwood, who was almost as pon- 
derous as his father, and quite as wonderful a stage proprietor. The stage fare 
was five cents a mile, so that in the winter season a trip from this place to New 
York and back cost thirty dollars. But the people who could afford a trip to 
the city in those times traveled principally in their own conveyances. 

Riding on horseback was the usual mode of traveling, for the first twenty 
years after the first settlement of the town, consequently the people became very 
expert in traveling in that manner. 

The old and young irrespective of sex would readily mount their steeds and 
travel far and near as occasion required, and ofttimes made journeys of fifty to a 
hundred miles. A lady would go from here to Massachusetts or Connecticut, 
and her whole wardrobe would be back of her saddle in a valise. 

Pillions were in common use in those days, so that families whose number of 
horses were limited, or whose horses were mostly engaged in the necessary busi- 
ness of life, could accommodate themselves by riding two on a horse. These 
exhibitions were of daily occurrence. Horses were early trained under the 
saddle, and, being thus in almost daily use, became delightful riding-horses. 
This was a healthy mode of traveling and of visiting neighbors. Most long 
journeys, simply for prospecting or for business purposes, were made in this 
manner. Mrs. Cody, the grandmother of Hiram Reed, came from Massachusetts, 
some time before the year 1800, alone and on horseback. She was a widow, and 
this was her prospecting tour for a home in this, at that period, great wilderness. 
After reaching this part of the State, she rode around viewing portions of the 
town, and finally made a purchase of six hundred and forty acres, the north- 
eastern corner of which afterward included what is now Clintonvillc. 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. ,P 

It must be borne in niiiul that although a lady was thus journeying throuj^Mi 
an almost uninterrupted forest, without any appointed traveling comi>anions, still 
there was a continuous procession of travelers on the road, either emigrating or 
prospecting, so she was not alone, and although all were strangers to her, yet, 
distributed all along that multitude, there were many mothers and grandmothers 
in reality, who, as the nature of society was in those days, would be interested 
immediately in the situation of any lone woman. 

It was stated above that it was not known when Isaac Sherwood came to 
Skaneateles. We now have an original bill of goods purchased by Day & Sher- 
wood, who were in partnership together here in 1806, of which the following 
is a copy : 

Albany, 21st January, 1806. 

Messrs. Day & Sliencooil : 

Bo't of FONDEV & WlXNE. 

i s. d. 

J gro. cnam'd cups and saucers, 32s 340 

4 doz. plates, 5s i i o 

4 doz. twiflers, is 4 o 

3 doz. muffins, 5s 15 o 

4 doz. edged plates, 7s i 8 o 

2 doz. edged muffins, 4s. 6d 9 o 

2 doz. enam'd quart bowls, l6s i 12 o 

2 doz. do. pint bowls, 3s 16 o 

4 doz. ditto, ditto, 4s. 6d 18 o 

Yi doz. enam'd tea pots, 22s. & 30s 13 o 

J4 doz. quart decanters, 40s i o o 

yi doz. pint ditto, 26s 13 o 

4 doz. tumblers, los 2 o 

3 doz. half do. ids i i 

1 doz. chambers, i8s. & 24s i I o 

2 doz. quart mugs, 12s i i o 

2 doz. pint do, 5s 12 o 

I doz. enam'd milks 10 

I doz. peppers 6 o 

I doz. each mustards, 54s., 44s., 343., 27s , 

20s. and i6s i t2 

Total 2019 o 

William J. Vredf.mbi/rg. — William J. Vredenburg was one of the most prom- 
inent early settlers in this village. He was bom in the city of New York, April 
18, 1757. brought up a merchant, and was largely in the shipping and commission 
business. His place of business was in Stone Street, near the lower end of Broad- 
way. At another period his place of business was on the northerly side of Water 
Street, the building nmning through the block to Pearl Street, on the opposite 
side of which was his residence. This was not very far from Broad Street. In 



3 2 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

person, Colonel Vredenburg was in height about six feet, had a handsome and com- 
manding face, and was a fine specimen of the perfect gentleman. He had been 
a colonel in the army, and ever afterward retained that title. 

As early as 1790 his name appears on the records of this county as a large 
operator, buying and selling soldiers' claims, and in after years in the purchase 
and sale of military lots. He first came to this part of the country in 1799, but he 
had previously sent an agent here to report to him a description of the country, 
and especially the military lots in this vicinity, with a view of moving his family 
if such report was favorable. This individual came from New York on horseback, 
and kept a diary, which is probably still in existence. In the month of May, 
1803, he brought his family, consisting of his wife and six children — four daughters 
and two sons. One child was born after he came here. 

Colonel Vredenburg and his family came through from New York by their own 
conveyance. Their first stopping-place here was under the large elm-tree, now 
near the corner of Academy and Jordan streets. The road from the lake then ran 
in a direct line from the " old mill house " to that large elm-tree; the road then 
turned to the left to Aaron Austin's, thence to Gen. Robert Earll's. There were 
no houses between Winston Day's store and the elm-tree, the space being a 
swamp. The " old mill house," it may be observed, is not on the line of the 
present Jordan Street, it having been built before that street was laid out. Eben- 
ezer R. Hawley then lived in the house nearest the elm-tree. Colonel Vreden- 
burg soon after purchased the house since occupied by C. J. Burnett, opposite the 
lake-shore. It was jjurchased from Levi Sartwell, a carpenter and joiner, who 
had previously purchased the village lot from Judge Sanger in January, 1800, 
and had built the house with the view of making it a tavern, and it was kept for 
that purpose a short time before Colonel Vredenburg purchased the property. 

It was not long after Colonel Vredenburg came before he purchased from 
Judge Sanger the remaining unsold portion of Military Lot No. 36. This is the 
military lot on which the village is located. He selected from this purchase about 
twenty acres on a commanding eminence above the lake, with the intention of 
erecting a substantial building for the future home of his family. That ground 
was then the village cemetery. There were about sixteen graves on it : no head- 
stones. The remains were carefully taken up and removed to the land of John 
Briggs, where he had laid out a family burying-ground, and where his wife had 
been interred in 1802. The ground was in 1812 purchased by the Skaneateles 
Religious Society for a public burying-ground. 

It was about the year 1804, after Colonel Vredenburg had procured his ar- 
chitectural plans from New York, that he let the contract for building the house 
by the job, but the contractor and his successor both failed, and it was several 
years before the house was completed. 

It was about fifty feet square, with gables on all four sides, and was located 
so as to face the four points of the compass. It was a two-story and attic, witli 
massive halls of extra width passing through both stories. The rooms on the 



HISTORY or SKANHATELES. ?.? 

first story were about fifteen feet in height, and in the second story, twelve feet, 
with kitchens, storerooms, and cellar under the whole structure. As has been 
before stated, the floors were being laid on the " Dark Day," June i6, 1806. This 
circumstance shows the slow progress of the work, and the building was probably 
not finished for occupation until a year or two after the "' Dark Day." 

.-Ml the carpenters in this vicinity, numbering about thirty, were employed on 
the building, including David and Seth Hall, Isaac Selover, and Samuel Lither- 
land. David and Seth Hall came here from Massachusetts in the year 1806. I'he 
first work they did after their arrival was for Winston Day. His house, next 
cast of his store, had been completed about a year, and the edges of the clear 
pine floors needed smooth planing to make them very even, and the Halls were 
employed to do that work. 

The pine flooring in early days was not sawed of uniform thickness, conse- 
quently the carpenters had to size each board, or, in other words, cut the under 
sides with an adz. so that they should have an even surface on the upper side. 

Colonel Vredenburg met with many drawbacks while the building was in 
progress. Among others, he had erected two large dry-kilns, and filled them with 
a large quantity of choice lumber. These were destroyed by fire. The name of 
the contractor wh(j commenced the job was Mellen. During the progress of the 
work, Colonel Vredenburg fitted up two unfinished rooms, and set Mr. Litherland 
10 work therein. He made all the carved and fancy work about the doors and 
mantelpieces, and all the mahogany and other doors. He assisted in laying the 
floors, which in those early days were made of all clear pine, without a kuoi or 
blemish ; in fact, floors were made to use without carpets or other covering. The 
pine used for the building was all grown about here. Under Colonel Vredenburg's 
directions only, Mr. Litherland made a number of pieces of household furniture 
from the different varieties of wood which grew in this vicinity. Among others 
was a sideboard, in the construction of which were combined all the varieties 
of native wood. This sideboard he always took great pride in showing to his 
New York friends when they visited him in after years. In those days sidchoards 
were not used entirely for ornament, but were the receptacles of decanters filled 
with the choicest liquors and wines, and this one was not an exception to the 
rule, for Colonel Vredenburg always kept a choice stock on hand'fo entertain his 
friends. This same old-fashioned sideboard is now in possession of Colonel 
Vredenburg's descendants in this place. 

A corner-stone was placed in the wall of the foundation of the new building 
in the year 1804, in which newspapers, books, coin, and manuscript were deposited. 
.After the destruction of the old house, a few years ago, the foundation-stone wa- 
sought for. but could not be found. 

On the occasion of raising the frame of this magnificent structure, in those 
early days, invitations were sent to all the surrounding inhabitants for mpny 
miles around, in consequence of which there was a very large attendance, the 
fame for liberalitv of Colonel XrcdenlmrL' bcint: crciicrallv kimun A lart'e falilo 



34 HISTORy OF SKANEATELES. 

constructed for the occasion was plated under a grove of trees, and spread with all 
the delicacies and substantials attainable at the time, including all kinds of liquors 
and the choicest wines. This was an occasion long to be remembered by the early 
inhabitants. 

Colonel Vredenburg lived in the house which he first purchased during the 
time in which his house was being constructed. He took great pride in having 
the best garden in this section. He wanted a professional gardener, so sent to 
New York, and a Mr. Dullard and wife came in the month of JMarch, 1804, bring- 
ing with him seeds, cuttings, roots, and every appliance for laying out a garden 
and setting out an orchard. After completing this work faithfully he left Skanc- 
ateles, and went in the employ of Chancellor Livingston, on the Hudson River. 
He was in Colonel \'redenburg's employ about three years. 

Dullard made the finest garden and raised the choicest vegetables in this part 
of the State. People came from great distances to see his garden. Dullard was 
a very pompous man, and was nicknamed " The Governor." 

After Dullard left. Colonel Vredenburg sent to New York, and obtained Sam- 
uel Litherland and his wife, the former for a gardener and the wife as housekeeper. 
Litherland had not long been at work before his employer ascertained that he 
was a cabinet-maker by trade. 

There was no post-office here at that time, and Colonel Vredenburg had to send 
to Marcellus for his mail twice a week. He had been used to prompt delivery of 
mail matter when he lived in New York, and he was not satisfied with the slow 
mail arrangements of the time. He wrote to Philadelphia, where Congress was 
then assembled, and sent a petition to the Postmaster-General asking for a mail- 
carrier on horseback from Marcellus to Skaneateles, which he succeeded in pro- 
curing. At first the mail was delivered once a week, but Colonel X'redenburg 
was not satisfied, and he soon had the mail delivered twice a week. The first mail- 
bags were opened in Colonel Vredenburg's house. 

Colonel \'redenburg did not live to enjoy his fine property. He died May 
9, 1813, at the age of fifty-six years. He left a large landed estate of several thou- 
sand acres of some of the best land in central New York. His fine mansion and 
grounds were sold to the late Daniel Kellogg a few years after his decease. After 
the death of Mr. Kellogg it was occupied by his daughter, Mrs. G. F. Leitch, and 
after her decease the house was allowed to run down, without an occupant, except 
a poor tenant, and in the year 1872 it was destroyed by fire. 

.i Legend concerning a Jug of Gin. — It is said that Colonel X'redcnburg had 
brought with him from New York, among other good things, some of the best 
quality of Holland gin, imported in half-gallon jugs. One of these jugs, sealed 
perfectly tight, was placed in one of the chimneys and cemented immediately back 
of the fireplace. (Rather a warm place for gin.) One of the masons who worked 
on the building when the chimney was built, and who assisted in placing the jug 
of gin in tlie brickwork, passed through this village about the year 1846, at which 
time the gin ought to have been buried some forty years. This man must have 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 35 

been at least sixty-five years old. He said he had never been in the village since 
he worked on the house. He told tiie tale of the jug of gin, and that it was in the 
southwest chimney of the old mansion. His personal appearance indicated his 
affection for kindred spirits, and, after detailing the story, he exclaimed: "1 
would give five dollars (if I had it) for one smack of that gin." 

Who xvcrc here in iSoj- — When Colonel X'redenburg came, John Legg lived 
in a small house where T. Y. Avery now lives. Legg's blacksmith-shop then stood 
where Dr. Bartletl's office now is. A log house stood where C. H. Poor now lives. 
Judge Sanger owned an ashery on the lake-shore on the present James E. Porter 
place. Winston Day was the only merchant in 1803. Norman Leonard afterward 
established himself as a merchant. His store was on the north side of Main Street. 
John Meeker afterward opened a store here, and Phares Gould was his confidential 
clerk. Meeker had several stores in other parts of the country, having confiden- 
tial clerks in all of them to do the business. He devoted his time to purchasing 
goods for the supply of his different establishments, and in a general supervision 
of them all. Phares Gould afterward opened a store on his own account, and 
Stephen Horton was his clerk. Thomas Greaves was a tailor. Moses Loss, his 
wife, and one child, lived in a small, new one-story frame-house on the lot now 
owned by John Kellogg. A log house stood in the rear of this house, and Syl- 
vester Roberts, a blacksmith, lived in it. This was in 1804. Isaac Selover. one of 
the most noted carpenters in this vicinity, lived in an unpainted frame-house on 
the site where Dr. Campbell now resides. He afterward built a small frame- 
dwelling on the rear of the same lot. 

X.vTiiANiEL Mii.LER. — The village of Skaneateles is thus described by the late 
Nathaniel Miller, who first came here in 1807: 

■' I was born in Cherry \alley, Otsego County, March 29, 1796. I came to 
Skaneateles in the month of February, 1807. Winston Day, Norman Leonard, 
Jonathan Booth, and John Meeker were the only merchants. Samuel Ingham was 
the principal and confidential clerk for Meeker. Sylvester Roberts was then the 
only blacksmith. His shop was where the C. N. Hatch house is now, on Onon- 
daga Street. This shop was afterward removed to the opjxjsite side of the street 
lower down, and now forms the rear building of O. H. Wildey's dwelling. The 
old meeting-house was in process of construction, but the frame was not raised 
until July 3, 1807. Moses Loss, Isaac Selover, and Samuel Litherland were among 
those who assisted in the carpenter and joiner wi;>rk. Thomas Greaves was the 
tailor. His shop was in the old yellow building now owned by John Slocum. 
Col. Warren Hecox and Ezra Stephens were the only shoemakers. The latter was 
the first man to introduce pegged shoes here. Isaac Rawson was the only 
minister when I came. There had been a missionary by the name of P.ascomb 
here previously. The religious services were then held in the old schoolhousc. 
which was located nearly opposite what is now the Fibbens tavern. This school- 
house was afterward destroyed by fire. There was no other denomination here 
in 1807. 



36 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Perley Putnam was the only saddler and harness-maker. I learned my trade 
with him. His shop was where Dr. Campbell now resides, and his dwelling, a 
one-story building, was immediately west of his shop and on the lot next east of 
the Thayer house. Putnam became interested as a partner in the wheel-head 
factory at what was then called Sodom, now Mottville. Lower down the stream, 
where the brick flour-mill is now, was then called Gomorrah. These Scriptural 
names were so applied to these locations because there was a large number of 
Universalists in the neighborhood. Putnam's partners in the wheel-head factory 
were Deacon James Porter (he that owned the old tavern), Barker, and Lovell. 
Afterward it was carried on by Porter, Putnam, Newell, and Leonard, the latter 
a brother of Norman Leonard. 

Noah Barnes either owned or tended the flour-mill here in 1807. Afterward 
Peabody owned the mill. Miner owned it afterward ; after him, Lewis & Cotton : 
after them, Daniel Earll and John Kellogg. 

The bridge across the outlet was built in 1807. It was a long wooden structure, 
extending from about the corner of Jordan Street to the old Van Shoick house 
(now removed). It was only intended for a single carriage way, but by tight 
squeezing two carriages could pass in opposite directions. 

John Briggs kept a tavern in the house now owned by Fred Shear, on the cor- 
ner of Main Street and the West Lake Road. A Mr. White afterward rented it 
and kept tavern, after which James Sackett purchased it and lived in it as a private 
residence. John Briggs then purchased the property now owned by James A. 
Root. There was then a log house there. Briggs removed the log house, and built 
what is now the rear building of the Root house. Nicholas Thome afterward 
owned this same property and built the front part of the Root house. Peter 
Thompson and John Billings did the carpenter and joiner work, and Josiah Weston 
was the mason. This was about the year 1824. 

The west building of the old tavern where the Packwood House is now 
was in process of building in 1807. Isaac Selover was the contractor, and David 
Hall was one of the carpenters. Isaac Sherwood kept tavern there as soon as the 
building was finished, and Stephen Smith kept bar for him. The first house after 
passing the Briggs tavern on the West Lake Road was a frame-building that was 
located about where Arthur Barnes now lives. Andrews lived in it. Afterward 
it was a cooper shop kept by Ira Reynolds. The next building was a low frame- 
structure owned by David Seymour, who was a farmer, brickmaker, and shoe- 
maker. His farm included the Furman, Field, Nye, and Reuel Smith places. 
William Gibbs afterward lived on this place, and Jonathan Booth followed, living 
there until his death. Stephen Gardner lived on the Sydney Smith place, and 
afterward sold the place to Alexander M. Beebe. There was in 1807 a two-story 
frame-building on the Lapham place, occupied by Jacobus Annis. Abraham A. 
Cuddeback had a farm where the Dr. Hurd house is now. 

There were, in 1807, no buildings between the Briggs tavern and where James 
A. Root now lives. Winston Day's store was on the corner of Main Street 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. :,7 

^.Id lake house lot). The road running north went directly to the large elm-tree 
now in the rear of George Barrow's dwelling, and passed over the present site of 
the Methodist church. From the elm-tree it ran to Aaron Austin's, thence 
to Gen. Robert Earll's. Between Austin's and Earll's there were four 
log dwelling-houses, three on the west side and one on the east side 
of the road. The mill-house was, in 1807, occupied by Peabody, the miller. 
No other house was beyond that to the elm-tree. The Winston Day dwelling- 
house, a two-story building, then stood on the site of the William Marvin house. 
It was painted white in front and red in the rear. The next building east was 
Elnathan Andrews' tavern. Andrews had a travelers' barn on the lake-shore, a 
little to the east of opposite the tavern. An elephant, the first one ever seen in this 
part of the State, was housed in this barn. This barn was then the only building 
on the south side of Main Street. John Meeker's store, frame two-story building, 
then stood where State Street now is. This was next to the tavern. Then Jona- 
than Booth's store was next east, his residence on the lot next east. The Meeker 
store was afterward moved when State Street was laid out, and placed on the 
lot occupied by I. S. Amerman. It was afterward taken down, and C. Pardee built 
the house now on its location. The Booth residence was also removed to the cast 
side of State Street. The Booth store was moved to the west side of Jordan 
Street by Nehemiah Smith and used as a tin-shop. It is now the residence of H. 
Cornell. The building now owned by Dr. Campbell as an office was built by 
Jonathan Booth for Alexander M. Beebe and John S. Furman as a law office. 

Xorman Leonard's store, a one-story frame-building, stood on the site of the 
Horton dwelling. When Mr. Horton was about to build the present dwelling, 
the store was moved to the lot next west (now owned by Mrs. Wheeler), and Gibbs 
and Morton kept the store, and Charles Pardee was their clerk. 

Isaac Selover's house was the next house east, on the Thayer lot. The onc- 
and-a-half story frame-house unpaintcd, which stood on where the John Kellogg 
place is, was afterward moved to the west side of Jordan Street. Gordon Bingham 
moved the house and owned it. It was lately taken down, and the dwelling 
occupied by J. K. Knox is on the same lot." 

Nathaniel Miller died in this village, March 16, 1875. It will be noticed from 
his location of the stores in 1807 that they were all on the north side of Main 
Street. Why the location was afterward changed to the south side of the street 
is not known, except possibly the anticipation of a large lake trade that may have 
mduced the construction of the expensive stone docks in the rear of the present 
row of brick stores. Had the business remained on tiic north side of the street, 
there would have been no more attractive village in the whole State of New 
York than Skaneatelcs. (The above was the result of a personal interview with 
the author.) 

Amos Miner. — Amos Miner was the youngest son of Dr. John Miner, and 
was born in Norfolk, Litchfield (oMnty, Conn., November m. i77''>. He was left 
at a very early age to the care of a widowed mother, his father having been killed 



38 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

during the Revolutionary War. After having learned the trade of a wheelwright 
he married Phoebe Hamlin, December 21, 1796. About the year 1800 he emi- 
grated to the then wilds of New York State, and settled in what is now Onon- 
daga County, and in the town of Marcellus, now Skaneateles. 

He brought from his native State much of that energy which is characteris- 
tic of the New Englandcr. and combined with this lie had an inventive turn of 




mind, wliich he soon brought into requisition after his arrival in this part of the 
country, and tended to llic advantage of his fellow men if not to himself. 

In the course of a year or two after his arrival here, while engaged in break- 
ing up some new land, he was accidentally injured, so much so as to be confined 
to his bed, and was kindly cared for by his immediate neighbor. While lying in 
bed in the primitive log cabin of the times, and in the same apartment where the 
females of the household did their household work. Miner noticed the disadvantage 
the women had to undergo in the use of the spinning-wheel, which was a big wheel, 
with a band over a whirr or small band-wheel about three-quarters of an inch in di- 



. HlSTURy Of SKAXEATHLHS. .iv 

aincter, single geared and slipped over liie spindle. Sufficient velocity to spin the 
thread satisfactorily required herculean power, yet this power had to be furnished 
by the woman with one hand, while the thread was drawn out with the other. Miner 
lay in his bed day after day in the presence of this spinning-wheel, thinking how 
he could iiTiprove this old-fashioned device, and before he was well enough to go 
to work had mentally accomplished his contemplated improvement. His first 
attempt to put it into practise was to add to the staff which supported the spindle 
a wooden arm with an upright attached to it to hold a wheel, which was separately 
geared to both spindle and the large wheel by two bands. This was a great 
improvement, but the sale of it was confined to his immediate vicinity, because 
every old spinning-wheel had to be brought to him to have the device attached. 

It soon became self-evident to him that, in order to meet the growing demands, 
he must so arrange his improvement as to be portable, so that it could readily be 
attached to any spinning-wheel without his personal assistance. This he soon 
accomplished by great perseverance in what he called Miner's Accelerating 
Wheel-Head, for which he obtained a patent .April ii, 1810, and of which we 
present an illustration on the preceding page. 

It was just about this time that Winston Day and others were preparing to 
send a drove of cattle to the Philadelphia market, and had engaged Jessee Kellogg 
(who had experience in the business) to take charge and sell them in Philadelphia. 
Of course, men must be had to drive, while Mr. Kellogg performed the journey 
on horseback. When Miner had perfected his model for the wheel-head, the 
drove was about ready to start. He came to Mr. Kellogg, and hired out as a man 
to drive the cattle, and, taking his model under his arm, faithfully followed that 
drove down through the backwoods to Philadelphia, where he received his wages 
and put right out for Washington City. He had no difficulty in obtaining his 
patent right, and, paying the expenses thereof from the wages he had received 
for driving the cattle, he returned to Skaneateles on foot. 

Til order to get a more minute description of the patented accelerating wheel- 
head, a communication was recently addressed to the Commissioner of Patents, 
at Washington, asking for a copy f>f the specifications of the patent. In reply, the 
Commissioner of Patents, under <Ialc of January 28, 1901, made the following 
statement : 

" An examination of the records of this office shows that two patents were 
issued to Amos Miner, of Marcellus. N. V. One for a ' Spinning- Wheel.' November 
if>. 1803. and the other for ' Spinning Wheel-Heads.' .Xpril 11. 1810. These patents 
were burned in the fire of 1836, and have never l)een restored. The office is. 
therefore, unable to furnish copies of them. 

(Signed) E. H. Smf.pard. Chief Clerk." 

The '■ Spinning-Whcel," patented November 16, 1803, is thus described: 
" A machine for spinning yarn or thread, in which a wheel drives a single 
spindle, and is itself driven by the hand, or by the foot acting on a treadle." 



40 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

The " Spinning Wheel-Head," patented April ii, 1810, was a great improve- 
ment on the simple spinning-wheel, which he invented and procured a patent for 
in 1803, which spiiming wheel-head is fully described in this history. 

All the separate parts of the wheel-head were made of hardwood, principally 
maple, and those parts where there was the greatest friction, such as the collars 
or gudgeon-blocks, were made from hemlock knots. All these parts were turned 
in a lathe, and it soon became necessary, as the business increased, to have other 
than foot-power to turn his lathes, consequently, on March 8, 1804, he pur- 
chased from Silas Bascom twenty-seven acres of land, for which he paid $125. 
This was on Military Lot No. 44. On this land was a small stream of water, 
which ran from south to north across the road. He desired to locate his work- 
shop on the north side of said road, as his land did not extend on the south side. 
As he had some difficulty in getting the full height of the stream across the road 
to his own premises, and as his perseverance never failed in an emergency, he 
led the water from some considerable distance in a raceway, and in crossing the 
road ran the water into an upright basswood hollow log, down to another hollow 
log which ran horizontally across and under the roadway, and from this it was 
forced into another upright hollow log on the north side of the road. 

From the top of this log the water was fed into his first experiment of an 
overshot wheel, which was a leather band with buckets on it similar to a modern 
elevator in a flour-mill for carrying grain. This experimental wheel was not a 
success, and Miner soon constructed an ordinary overshot wheel, and erected a 
small workshop. His machinery was necessarily of a very crude description, but 
he managed to manufacture sufficient wheel-heads to supply the demand, as well 
as flails and flail-caps, fork-handles, and such other wooden utensils as weie 
demanded in those times. 

The site where Miner's factory was is now the farm of George Clark, on the 
road running east from J. Augustus Edwards' place. 

The introduction of Miner's accelerating wheel-head was a perfect Ixion 
and benefaction to all the farmers' families as well as the hired help in the land. 
The hired help in those days were all natives, generally daughters of small farm- 
ers, whose duties in the household were, in addition to the ordinary housework, 
to spin twenty knots. The demand was such, in a few years after the introduction 
of this mdispensable necessity, that they were sent in pedlers' wagons to all parts 
of the then settled States from Maine to Georgia. This wheel-head was in that 
early day a great invention, entering, as it did, the every-day work of thousands 
of households in all parts of the country, and, like the sewing-machines of the 
present day, lightened the labors of every family in the agricultural portions of 
the country by increasing the ease and facility with which they could do their 
spinning. Like many other inventors, however. Miner profited little by it finan- 
cially. 

The late Charles Pardee, in a short address to the Sunday-school scholars at 
a picnic of the Methodist Society, held about 1840, near the location of Miner's 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 4" 

old factory, iiointcd out to the children ilie little brook where the factory was 
located, in which as a little boy he had worked for Miner. 

On the I2th of September, 1805, Miner sold out his land to Daniel Waller for 
$276, and in the following month, October 28, purchased from Avery Mason ten 
acres on the southwest corner of Lot No. 68. There is a small brook on this 
location, but whether Miner ever had a factory there is not known. He after- 
ward established a factory at Five Mile Point, (mi the cast side of the lake, where 
he manufactured wheel-heads, as one of the firm of Miner, Deming & Sessions 
(Amasa Sessions and Davis Deming). 

He soon afterward sold out his patent right and his interest in the factory to 
his partners, and located at a point midway between Skaneateles and Otisco lakes, 
where there were two small streams of water, and there erected a grist-mill and a 
saw-mill. 

This location has been known ever since as "the pudding-mill." This name 
was given to it from the fact that Miner ground large quantities of corn-mcal 
to make supawn, which at that period was the common food of the farmers in the 
neighborhood. 

These mills were driven by water-power obtained from three overshot water- 
wheels, about five or si.x feet in width and nearly twenty-five feet in diameter, 
which were so geared into each other that the water from one of the little 
streams was used over three times, and the water from the other little stream 
was used through two of these wheels. Miner's inventive genius was put to the 
test to get all the power possible from these two small streams of water. 

About the year 1816 he left this place and located at what was then called 
" Sodom," now Mottville, but soon afterward settled at a place on the outlet, a mile 
or two above Jordan, called " The Hollow." 

Liefore leaving the subject of wheel-heads, it may be of interest to state that, 
when Miner first offered them for sale, they were retailed at three dollars each, 
then two and a half dollars, then two dollars, and kept declining until the intro- 
duction of spinning-jacks, when they were sold as low as twenty-five cents each, 
and finally the demand ceased. 

Miner sold out as soon as his patent became money-making, so that he might 
turn his attention to other inventions. 

Putnam, Porter & Leonard built the wheel-head factory at Mottville, which 
was located where it is now or near the machine-shop of E. B. Hoyt. This firm, in 
183 1, was succeeded by Whcadun ( S. C). Xye ( lirastus) & .\dams (('icorgc 1". 1. 
Mr. A. Blodgett, now of Mottville, sold all their manufactures with a two-horse 
team. He started out about every week with six hundred wheel-heads, and sold 
them at wholesale to the merchants throughout the State at six dollars per dozen. 
His journeys stretched eastward to .Mbany and Newburgh, on the north and west 
to ng<lcnsl)urg and Buffalo, and on the south into Pennsylvania and all the inter- 
vening places in this State. 

Miner's next invention was machinery for making pails, for which he obtained 



42 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

a patent April 25, 1823. One of the greatest obstacles he had to encounter to 
complete his invention was to give the staves a cylindrical form, but this he over- 
came by inventing the cylinder saw which he used for this purpose. In theory it 
seemed to be just what was wanted, but in practise it was partly ineffectual be- 
cause it did not always saw with the grain of the wood. He found that cross- 
grained staves made poor pails. This cylinder saw he did not patent, but it has 
been in use ever since for many other useful purposes. 

He erected a factory at " The Hollow " above Jordan for the manufacture of 
pails, churns, sap-buckets, and other woodenware of the like nature, but the factory 
was destroyed by fire shortly after its completion. He rebuilt it immediately, 
and carried on the manufacture until about 1830, when he sold out both patent and 
factory to Messrs. Merrick & Graves. 

Miner carried on this manufacture for seven or eight years before he sold 
out to the above parties, and made more money at it than from any of his pre- 
vious adventures. At the time he sold out, the business was in very good shape, 
and the sales were extending through the Far Western States. His successors 
pushed the business, and in doing so ascertained that there were several other small 
manufactories located in Seneca Falls and Waterloo, also in other places in this 
State, which competed with Miner's superior wares, by underselling to the West- 
ern merchants. In conseciuence of this, ]\Ir. Graves stopped this competition by 
buying out all these small manufacturers, finishing up their several stocks, shipping 
them to the West, and disposing of them at whatever price could be had. After 
that Miner's successors had the business without competition, and established 
their own prices. The result was, as we are informed by the best authority, that 
they made a clean $100,000 out of the business. Their wares were shipped by 
canal to St. Louis, Illinois, and other adjoining States, and met with a ready sale 
owing to their superior quality. This statement shows that Miner sold out too 
soon, and so with the wheel-head business. His successors maiuifactured more 
largely, reduced the price, and thus greatly extended the sales, and consequently 
the profits. 

Miner invented machines for making window-sasli, and secured letters patent 
for the same, July 9, 1823. 

On July 20, 1825, he obtained another patent for an iniproveiiKnt in making 
keelers, or pans for holding milk. 

He afterward owned a grist-mill between Jordan and Skanoateles, bvU its exact 
location or in what year he operated is not known. Miner made a further improve- 
ment in his window-sash machines, for which he took out a patent November 
'9' ^^ZZ- The celebrated and well-known Miner pump was patented bv him July 
7. 1835- 

The memory of Amos Miner deserves special honor from the citizens of Slcane- 
ateles, humble as he was and always pleasant and agreeable ; but he was more than 
that, for he possessed an inventive genius hardly excelled. 

The Superintendent of the Patent Office at Washington, in one of his reports, 



HISTORY OF SKANEATHLES. 4.> 

said that Amos Miner, of Skaneatcles, \. Y., had invented and patented more 
really useful machines than any other man in the United States in those early 
years. Miner was poor, very poor, and yet he made many rich. No man ever 
brought so much money for tlie benefit of others, and yet had none of consequence 
for himself, altiiough he was a perfect model of economy in all his habits. He 
always gave to others the benefit of his many inventions, and kept poor, hut 
ever happy and pleasant. 

He was indomitably industrious, always at work, except when studying out a 
new invention, when he would wrap his head and shoulders in a woolen blanket, 
and, entirely blindfolded, crawl under his work-bench, and there remain without 
speaking to any person day or night, until he had formed a theory of a model 
with all the exactness he could have done if he had made a thousand. He once 
told Howard Delano that people gave him more credit than he deserved for an 
inventive genius. He did not consider that he had much of that quality, but 
what he really claimed to have was a perseverance and energy that were never sat- 
isfied until the desired end was accomiilished. He could not sleep at night while 
his mind was occupied during the day in any of his mental researches. 

The inventions he made were important in their day. meeting the demand of 
the times in which he lived for improvements, and under these various patents 
quite a number of manufactories were started in diflferent parts of the country, 
and were in operation for many years. While he did not liimself acquire riches by 
the fruits of his labor and inventive genius, yet he saw others enriched by them, 
and the public at large greatly benefited. 

About the close of the year 1835 he emigrated from New York State and settled 
in Morgan County, Illinois, and there erected a grist-mill and a saw-mill at a 
place called Little York in that county, from some little means he had acquired 
from the fruits of his industry in his old home. It is estimated that he took from 
here about $10,000, the fruits of his long and laborious life. 

Here, surrounded by his children who came with him, with the exception 
of two who had previously settled in western Pennsylvania, he passed the last 
years of his life, and died in the sixty-sixth year of his age, June 2, 1842. 

.\nna Miner, the sister of Amos Miner, was the mother of the late Charles 
Pardee and of Aaron, Allen, etc. She came from Connecticut and settled in 
Skaneateles, but whether she came at the same time her brother did is not known. 

Since the above was written a letter from a correspondent in Michigan has just 
been received, which gives the following items: 

■ In reply, I can say my boyish recollection of Amos Miner is much more dis- 
tinct and vivid than those I have met in recent years. My father was a partner 
in business with him when my mother gave birth to nic in a log cabin deep down 
in the factory gulf, near where the patent wheel-heads were made. 

" As I grew up I saw him often at my father's house, and once at work in 
his factory at Camillus. where I saw the machinery at work which he had invented 
and perfected to make the neatest and most substantial woodcnwarc that I have 



44 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

ever seen, in all its various forms. He was a very ordinary-looking man, and dis- 
figured by the loss of one of his eyes, which was occasioned by a splinter striking 
him in his e\e while he was hammering a piece of steel. His manners 
were simple and plain, and with his homespun dress he went quietly about 
the country, peddling his own wares with a rig in character with his 
own appearance, all having a shabby, neglected look, except his wares, 
which were neat, durable, perfect ; in fact, I have never seen them equaled by any 
manufacturers of the present day. He knew what was wanted, he knew how to 
make the tools and machinery, but he did not know how to accumulate or save 
money. 

■■ When he had completed any of his inventions and could make his wares per- 
fect, they appeared to interest him no more, and he hastened to employ his energies 
and genius on other schemes of invention. 

" While manufacturing woodenware near Jordan, he constructed a canal- 
boat of staves, loaded it with tubs, pails, keelers, churns, and every variety of his 
wares of a quality never equaled, and peddled along the canal. After he left 
Camillus, I knew nothing of him except from rumor." 

We append the following letter from the Patent Office, giving a summary of 
Amos Miner's patents: 

" United States Patent Office, 
" Washington, D. C, October 20, 1881. 
" Edmund N. Leslie, Skaneateles, N. Y. : 

■' SiK : In reply to yours of the 15th inst., you are informed that the following 
patents appear of record under the name of 'Miner' : 
'■ .Vmos Miner, Spinning-Wheel, patented November 16, 1S03. Residence not 

given. 
" Amos Miner, of Marcellus, N. Y., Spinning Wheel-Heads, patented April 10, 

1810. 
" Amos Miner, of Camillus, Onondaga County, N. Y., Implement in making 

Pails, April 25, 1823. 
" Amos Miner, of Elbridge, Onondaga County, N. Y., Window-Sash Machines, 

July 9, 1823. 
" Amos Miner, of Camillus, N. Y., Implement in making Keelers, or Pails for 

holding Milk, July 20, 1825. 
" Amos Miner, of Elbridge, N. Y., Window-Sash Making, November 19, 1833. 
" Amos Miner, of Jordan, N. Y., Pump. July 7, 1835. 

Respectfully, M. Seaton, Chief Clerk." 

Early Recollections of Skaneateles by John R. Kellogg. — (W ritten in 
the year 1867.)— About sixty-eight years ago (1799), we entered Skaneateles, 
in the dead of night, in a sleigh drawn by two horses. The next morning I 
walked out of a small one-story house, and took a view of that beautiful lake. 



HISTORY or SKANEATELES. 4 5 

havinj: never before seen a broader expanse of water than a country mill-pond. 
We liad traveled from my native home, New Hartford, Oneida County, being 
sixty miles east, through an almost continuous forest, having slept two nights in 
an Indian wigwam during a heavy snow-storm, which was the only available 
accommodation in that region in those days, called Oneida Castle, being the place 
where the first missionary, Dominie Kirkland, preached. In the days of the Revo- 
lution, many, and perhaps most, of the Oneidas, especially the warriors, were on 
the side of the British. Dominie Kirkland was for the Americans. His life was 
frequently threatened and attempted, and on one occasion he ran a long distance, 
chased by several savages with their tomahawk^, etc., determined to kill him. 
He barely reached Skanadoah's wig%vam in time, and was protected by that noble 
chief, and lived many years after. 

So, then, si.xty-eight years ago, the country was all new from Utica to Skan- 
eateles, and all travel done by teams and on horseback. 

The Trowbridge girls' father, a most worthy man, was the first liaiicr in 
Skaneateles. As early as 1800 or before, his house and shop stood near the old 
schoolhouse. on what is now the magnificently improved Roosevelt place, the road 
being a little changed. 

Up to the year 1800 there was no stated preaching in Skaneateles or in Mar- 
cellus, nor in any part of that region. Occasionally a missionary from New Eng- 
land came, generally from Connecticut. 

The Rev. Mr. Robbins was the first minister I ever heard in Skaneateles. He 
came as a missionary and boarded in our family. I was then six years old. In 
person, the Rev. Mr. Robbins was a specimen Presbyterian of the straitest sect. 
As I have before said, Jessee Kellogg, my father, had built and then owned the 
mills. One Saturday night the dam broke badly, and, when my father received 
the information early Sunday morning, it was in a bad way and growing worse. 
He at once called all the men he could raise, and went vigorously to work to arrest 
its progress. The family as yet knew nothing of it. We had breakfast, and all 
prepared for meeting at the old schoolhouse. We boys always went with Mr. 
Robbins, and, as we passed down and going round Winston Day's store, Mr. 
Robbins was surprised to see a crowd of men at work on the dam, and among them 
he noticed my father. He at/once called to my eldest brother, and requested him 
to ask his father to come across to where we all were. He came at once, and Mr. 
Robbins inquired why he was thus engaged on the Sabbath. My father said, "Mr. 
Robbins, come out on the dam with me." He went and saw the state of affairs. 
My father said to him, "This is the only mill in all this region." Mr. Robbins 
said no more, but turned about and pulled off his coat, and said to my eldest 
brother: "Go at once to the schoolhouse, and notify the people that the meeting 
to-day will be at the mill-dam. All are invited to attend." You may be sure that 
it was a great and anxious meeting, for the people had a mind to work, and much 
goofi was (lone at the dam, and no harm to the cause of religion. No man in the 
crowd worked more vigorously than our beloved clcrgjTnan. and all the people 



46 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

loved him, and many attended his meetings after that who had never attended 
before. 

Amos Miner, the jjatent wheel-head man, humble as he was, was always 
pleasant and agreeable ; but he was more than that, for he possessed an inventive 
genius hardly excelled. The Superintendent of the Patent Office at Washington 
said, in one of his reports, that Amos Miner, of Skaneateles, N. Y., had invented 
and patentctl more really useful machines than any other man in the United 
States. He was poor, very poor, and yet he made many rich. On the road 
formerly known as the Hamilton Turnpike, about two hundred yards beyond 
where the Misses Trowbridge formerly lived, and in the woods, was a brook 
crossing the road, which flowed quite a volume of water, but which has since 
disappeared. There Miner iiad his log house and shops. There he built a dam 
and water-wheel, and made spinning-wheels, foot-wheels, flails and flail-caps, fork- 
handles, etc. 

Up to that time carding was done on the knee with hand-cards — all the wool 
and tow. The spinning was done on the big wheel, with a Ijand over a mere 
whirr or wheel alxjut three-fourths of an inch in diameter, single geared, slipped 
on over the s])indle. and to give the spindle sufficient velocity required the power 
of a steam-engine, yet this power had to he furnished with one hand, while the 
thread was drawn out with the other ; and when a girl had done a day's work 
spinning on that wheel, she did not feel like spinning street-yarns in the evening. 

Hence, the introduction of Miner's patent accelerating wheel-head was a 
perfect godsend to all the farmers' families in the land, and these wheel-heads 
were appreciated and sent in pedlers" wagons to all the then settled States from 
Maine to Georgia, and also by teams and wagons from Miner's factory, which 
had then been removed to a brook above the Colonel Bellamy farm on the lake- 
shore, at Five Mile Point, and afierw-.-ird to Moltville. .\t first the wheel-heads 
retailed at three dollars each, then two and a half dollars, then two dollars, and 
finally, after the introduction of spinning-jacks, they went down to twenty-five 
cents, and then out. i^ooth & Ingham's carding-machine superseded our mothers' 
hand-cards, the spinning-jack, and the .girls' labor on the big wheel. 

Miner sold out as soon as bis ])atciii became more money-making, that he 
might give his mind to other inveuiioiis. I le in\enicd the sash-making machine, 
the planing-machine, the pail and tub making machines, and various others. He 
always gave to others the benefit of his inventions, and kept poor, yet happy and 
pleasant. He was indomitably industrious, always kept at work, except when 
studying out a new invention, when he would wrap his head and shoulders in a 
woolen blanket, and, entirely blindfolded, crawl under his work-bench, and there 
remain without speaking to a single soul, day or night, until he had formed a 
theory of a model with all the exactness he could have done if he had inade a 
thousand. 

Then he must ni'cds go to ^\';l^llingloIl for his patent, and on at least two 
occasions the journey was made in this wise: M\- father had many years' ex- 



HISTORY UP SKANEATELES. 47 

pcriern:c in driving and selling calile lo the I'hiladclphia market trom (Jncida 
County before removing to Skaneateles. Consequently, Winston Day and others 
who were in the business engaged him once or twice a year to make sales for them. 
Of course, men must be had to drive, while he performed the journey on horse- 
back. W hen Miner had perfected his model for the wheel-head, the drove was 
about ready to start, and he came to my father and hired out as a man to drive, 
and, taking his model under his arm, he faithfully followed that drove down 
through the backwoods to I'hilailelphia, where he received his wages, and put 
right out on foot for Washington. He obtained his patent, and returned to 
Skaneateles in the same way (on foot). .\nd this he repeated another \ear at 
least, but he finally obtained a standing in the Patent Office, which induced them to 
volunteer facilities by which he was saved his personal journeys. No man ever 
brought to Skaneateles <;o much monej for the benefit of others, and yet had none 
of consequence for himself, although he was a perfect model of economy in all 
his habits. He finally removed to lilbridge, and 1 never knew much about him 
after that. 

His memory deserves special honor from the citizens of Skaneateles. I had 
much personal acquaintance with him, and knew his worth. He always traded 
at the store where I was clerk. His word was a perfect law. and he was ever a 
law-abiding man. 

Samuel liriggs was six or seven years my senior, he having been born in 1793, 
and was the special associate of my elder brothers, but we all went to the same 
school in the year 1825. He was from his youth a sturdy, steady, industrious, 
worthy person. The last time 1 saw him he was passing in the street in Skane- 
ateles in a one-horse wagon, with his feci stretched forward over the top of the 
dashboard on account of severe rheumatism. He died from inflammation of the 
lungs. In his early days he was one of the hardest of the hardy, and was never 
suspected of being a subject for either of these complaints, whereas I was slender, 
and at the age of si.vteen was afflicted with both those miserable maladies, and these 
continued as long as I resided in that region, and had become so seated in youth 
that my prospect of comfort in old age was neither promised to me by physicians 
nor by the experience of others who came before me. 

Perhaps I have before said that Ja.son Parker, the old mail contractor of I'tica, 
drove the first coach that ever passed from Ctica to Canandaigua. Years after 
that, Isaac Sherwood, who I well remember lived in a log house about half-way 
between Skaneateles and .Auburn on the old State Road, and nearly opposite where 
is now a tavern house, was appointed by the Council of .\p|)ointmenl. there in 
the woods, a Justice of the Peace. Finding it inconvenient for his vocation, he 
wisely removed his office to Winston Day's store. There he assisted as clerk, and 
officiated as a Justice for a time, and finally entered into copartnership with Day, 
3nd so continued for many years. They together built, for those clays, a large 
public house on the old Msquirc Hriggs place on the west side. This statement is 
not true, as John Briggs built his said tavern, which is the same building that is 



48 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

now on the corner of West Lake Street and Genesee Street. Then Day & Sher- 
wood dissolved partnership. Day kept his store, distillery, and potashery ; Sher- 
wood, his tavern, and a good one, too. He soon succeeded in getting the patron- 
age of his stages. Then he soon became part owner, then sole owner, and finally 
he proved himself a perfect Napoleon of a stage proprietor. 

When opposition arose, his energies increased, and finally broke it down. But 
after that came on the powerful Sunday mail line, or rather the Sabbath-observ- 
ing line. They ran him hard, and Daniel Kellogg, who furnished him money, 
told me, after the opposition gave out, that had they held on sixty or ninety days 
longer Sherwood would have been obliged to succumb. 

Sherwood removed to Geneva, and theu back to Auburn, where he built " The 
American," regained more than his lost wealth, and died, leaving a handsome 
estate. 

Isaac Sherwood was truly a representative man in his life, but fortunately 
lie had the full confidence of Daniel Kellogg, who was decidedly the greatest 
financial man in all the State of New York in his day, and I do not think him 
e.xcelled now, all things taken into consideration. My father, who owned by 
contract all the Sanger property, sold to Mr. Kellogg the point of land on 
the hill on which he built the one-and-a-half-story house and office as iliey 
now are. 

Note. — This property was sold to Kellogg by Dr. Jonathan Hall, as is shown 
by Kellogg's deed. 

.After Mr. Kellogg had completed these, he told my father that he was then 
worth, besides them, about twelve hundred dollars. He said about that lime 
that, if he could acquire ten thousand dollars, he would be satisfied. But he got 
the track well laid and his engine in good working order, and kept it well oiled, 
and it ran easily, steadily, and at good speed.' Had he lived, he would have been 
a Rothschild in his way. What he had, he made himself, and, while he made for 
himself, he upheld and enabled others to make. 

The Beeches, without Daniel Kellogg as a prop, would have been bankniy)t 
more than once in the milling business ; so also would Isaac Sherwood and man>' 
others I could name. Any observing man having business with him could easilv 
learn valuable lessons from his way of doing things. His system and his practise 
were perfect, and success was a natural consequence. 

.\bout the time Mr. Kellogg built liis house and office. Colonel Vredenburg 
commenced his large house, whicli was burned in the year 1872. known then as 
the Leitch house. The ground was then the village cemetery, and the silent 
occupants were removed to their present resting-place, then owned by John Briggs. 
Colonel Vredenburg let the building of the house by the job, but the contractor 
and his successor both failed, and it was a long time lie fore the house was 
completed. 

One, and T think two, very large dry-kilns, containing a large quantity of 
lumber, were burned. 



HJsroRy or sk.-ixeateles. 49 

(Some time after the above was written we received the following communi- 
cation, containing further reminiscences of our early history-.) 

Early Rf.collections of Skaneateles by John R. Kellogg. — In the 
year 1799, we entered Skaneateles. in the dead of night, in a sleigh drawn 
by two horses. The next morning I walked out of a small, one-story house and 
took a view of that beautiful lake, having never before seen a broader expanse of 
water than a country mill-pond. 

We had traveled from my native home. New Hartford, Oneida County, being 
sixty miles east, through an almost continuous forest, having slept two nights in 
an Indian wigwam during a heavy snow-storm, which was the only available ac- 
commodation in that region in those days, called Oneida Castle, being the place 
where the first missionary, Dominie Kirkland, preached. 

Skanadoah, a worthy Chief, and one of God's noblemen, was then an aged 
man. In after years (in 1809 or 1810), when he was about one hundred years 
old, I saw him standing near his old minister's grave, at the foot of College Hill, 
in Clinton, yet alive, but waiting the messenger of Death, and insisting on being 
buried by the side of him who had by the grace of God many, many years before 
led him to embrace in the arms of faith and love the Lord Jesus Christ as his 
Saviour. But he lived some years after that, and, when his nation voted to sell 
all out and move West, this venerable chief, being opposed to the project, arose, 
and by way of claiming attention said : " I am an aged hemlock, through whose 
boughs a hundred winter blasts have blown. Dead at the top," and so on to the 
end. and truly eloquent. This was many years since published in our school-lx)oks 
as a specimen of Indian oratory. (See "American Reader.") Perhaps most 
people think it is a dressed-up thing by some scholar. But not so. I have it only 
second hand from the lips of the then venerable Doctor Backus, President of Ham- 
ilton College, who assured John J. Glover, of New York, that he took it down word 
for word from the interpreter at the time of its delivery by Skanadoah him- 
self, and Mr. Glover told it to me when I was his clerk. 

In the days of the Revolution many, and perhaps most, of the Oneidas, espe- 
ciallv the warriors, were on the side of the British. Dominie Kirkland was for 
the Americans. His life was freciuentiy threatened and attempted, and on one 
occasion he ran a long distance, chased by several savages w ith their tomahawks, 
etc., determined to kill him. He barely reached Skanadoah's wigwam in time, 
and was protected by that noble chief, and lived many years after. He died, and 
was buried under the west window of his own mansion at the foot of College Hill, 
in Clinton. And, as I said, many years afterward Skanadoah was buried by his 
side, at the age, if I recollect correctly, of one hundred and three years. He 
died at home, but was brought as he requested, and buried there. Thousands 
attended his funeral from Utica and all around. 

So, then, sixty-eight years ago, the country was all new from llica to Skane- 
ateles, and all travel and transportation done by two-horse teams and on horse- 
back. 



50 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Well, about three weeks ago I entered that same Skaneatcles in the night 
time, but in a most convenient railroad-car, propelled by a handsome steam-en- 
gine, having traveled from near Lake Michigan by railroad through a fully settled 
country of towns and large cities ; and from that starting-point 1 could have gone 
in a direct line much farther West than I went East to reach Skaneateles. What 
a driving out of buffaloes, bears, wolves, and Indians have I witnessed in my 
day ! And now, in their places, behold the steamboats, railroads, canals, telegraph 
lines, commerce, agriculture, schools, colleges, churches, cities, manufactories, and 
all, in the good providence of God, under a glorious system of free government! 
Yet the half is not told. The progress of a day is more than can be spoken in a 
week. 

But let me come back from my digressions to my late hasty visit to your vil- 
lage. In my last letter, I had promised you that, when you had the cars running, I 
would, if living, come up and see you. Well, I did so, and found you, the father 
and son, engaged in the noble work that once occupied the mind and energies of 
the immortal Franklin, and that, too, right on the bank of the lake whence I used 
to shove my skiff and strap on my skates when a boy. I was glad to see you, and 
as many others as my time would permit. 

But I called on your rich people first — the " Trowbridge Girls," as they arc 
called, and, as Mrs. Horton said to me afterward, "Rich in Faith." Yes, God 
bless them ! The people of Skaneateles know not how many blessings these two 
may have enjoyed and are enjoying in answer to the prayers of such as they. 
The father, a most worthy man, was the first hatter in Skaneateles, as early as 
1800, or before his house and shop stood near the old schoolhouse on what is now 
the magnificently improved Roosevelt place, nearly opposite and but a few rods 
from where these worthy daughters now live, the road being but a little changed. 
Mr. Trowbridge was a good citizen, and highly esteemed for his integrity and 
industry. And now his aged children, like Cowpcr's cottager, sit within their 
own door, plying the needle of industry day by day, scarcely going a mile from 
home, knowing little of the world, yet, as Cowper says, know their Bible true — 

"A truth the brilliant Frenchman* never knew." 

Forget them not! They are God's heritage, and he will not forget his own. 
Give me while I live the prayers of the honest, pious poor, "Rich in Faith," and 
I will have enough of earth's riches (sanctified) to carry me through this world, 
and with those honored ones enter and enjoy those mansions prepared not with 
hands, eternal in the heavens. " The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof." 
But it is to be used here on earth, for it is of the " earth, earthy," and God will 
not allow us to bring one dollar of it into heaven, for all there is heavenly. 

But I am glad to see the "Beautiful Squaw" (Skaneateles). like Rip \'an 
Winkle, arousing from her long sleep. Omaha, five httndrcd miles west of Chi- 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 5» 

cago. has already become a large city, witli all the modern improvements and 
facilities, and is still progressing ; and all this and much more, while you wealthy 
men have slumbered over those great natural advantages extending all along the 
outlet to the junction. But by your paper of three or four weeks ago I was re- 
joiced to see that those accursed slink-pots (excuse me for using the right name), 
whisky -mills, are to be abated, cleared out, purified, and their places to be made 
meet for the legitimate uses of that pure stream, beside which lie dead men's bones, 
like Sol. Foster and others, poisoned, it is to be feared, even to the second death. 
Awful to contemplate! 

* * * //o/d/ /'or //it)i« //i3'.ff// wert guilty of being engaged in that accursed 
traffic on a neighboring stream, six miles east. True, true! But a righteous 
God in his great mercy to me and mine cleaned me out by fire ; and I trust he 
gave me grace to say "Amen." While my property was burning, I thought many 
of my neighbors were more sorrowful for my loss than I was. I had reduced 
my insurance from $7,000 to $700, which the company promptly paid, and offered 
me a loan to enable me to rebuild, as there was much other property connected with 
it to be saved ; but I said "Xo." I had long waited to get out of the business (it 
was rented then) , but I received it as God's way of getting me out. So I pocketed a 
loss of eight or ten thousand dollars, closed up my affairs, paid off my debts, 
took the leavings, came to Michigan, where I have had better health, and my 
full share of prosperity, and have no disposition to go into that miserable traffic 
or advise others to. 

But again I do rejoice to see that that most lovely stream at Skaneateles is to be 
improved, as stated in your paper. May its builders be amply rewarded in their 
enterprise! And how can they be otherwise? The power is there, building ma- 
terials are there, a rich country to feed and sustain is there. So go ahead, for 
" you are right," as David Crockett said. 

Besides, you can pass up and down in your beautiful and comfortable cars, 
superintend your works as they progress, and even make it a source of mutual 
and social enjoyment, equal to what you and I, Mr. Pardee, enjoyed in our boy- 
hood, playing at seesaw on a board laid across a rail fence — and in those days 
ez'en that was amusing. And then, if you choose to keep up ol<l remembrances, 
you may crack butternuts and walmits, eat mandrakes and thorn-apples ; and, if 
I happen along that way. I will join you in them, and in the song of "Auld Lang 
Sync." But as to whisky or tobacco-smoke, discard them altogether, (jive mc 
the pure air of good old Skaneateles. summer and winter. You can never im- 
prove it by modern perfumes. God made that beautiful place for a purpose, and 
gave it as a siiecimen of beauty and purity. Improve and use it, but do not 
abuse it — at your peril do not ! 

ArxF.r.AN, Mich., October 23. \d^ty. 

John R. Kkm-ogc.. 

IN MY SEVENTV-FIFTH VE.\R. 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



CHAPTER V. 

Moke Pioneers. 



Eli Clark. — Eli Clark, the father of Foster Clark, came on foot to Skaneatelcs 
from Northampton, Mass., in the month of October, 1800. In looking around 
he was particularly attracted by the situation of the very land which he finally 
purchased. After diligent inquiry he ascertained that this land belonged to 
Robert R. Burnett and other parties in the city of New York, so he set out on 
foot to go to the city and negotiate a purchase. This resulted in his buying from 
said Burnett and others who were joint owners fifty acres on Military Lot 
No. 35, on the 22d of January, 1801. He also bought fifty acres additional 
adjoining John Thompson's land, and paid six dollars per acre for the whole. 

He then went back to his old home in Massachusetts, and with his family 
and effects started for his new home in New York. State, in the beginning of 
the month of February, 1801, with an ox-sled drawn by two yoke of oxen and 
one horse. They came along very well until the settlement of Whitestown was 
reached, where the ground became bare of snow. Mr. Clark then rigged some 
old wheels on his sled, started again, and, after many difficulties and mishaps, 
finally arrived here in the latter part of ■March. Eli Clark died Augiist, 1834, 
aged seventy-two years. 

Foster Clark was at that time six years old. He died August 24, 1882, aged 
eighty-seven years. 

Eli Clark's original purchase included a part of the Sumner Fuller farm, and 
also the land now owned by John Hudson. 

Eli AS Merrell. — Elias Merrell came to this town about the year 1806, and 
built a small one-story frame dwelling-house, on the lot on Onondaga Street, now 
owned by Mrs. Shuttleworth. He was a laborer and was employed by Norman 
Eeonard. Elias Merrell died in 1812. 

Alanson Edwards, Jr. — Alanson Edwards, Jr., brother of the late Thaddeus 
Edwards, married Mrs. Lydia Camp, whose maiden name was Lydia Hopkins. 
She was a granddaughter of Mrs. Elias Merrell, and was brought up by her. 
A daughter of Elias Merrell married a Hopkins. 

The S. Porter Riioades Family. — The name of the great-great-grandfather 
of S. Porter Rhoades was Joseph Rhoades, who was of English extraction. 

Samuel Rhoades, son of Joseph named above, of Marblehead, Mass., was 
born in 1701, and died in 1765. 

Samuel Rhoades, Jr., was born in 1737. He was a mason by trade, and 
was a captain under George HI. before the Revolutionary War, and also under 



HISTORY OF SK.-iXEATELES. 5.^ 

the Continental Congress during the Revolutionary War. He died in Skaneateks. 
at the home of Captain Samuel Rhoades, his son, March i8, 1823, aged eighty-six 
years. His wife, Sarah Frotheringham, was born in 1740, and died in 1809. 

Deacon Samuel Rhoades was born in Chesterfield, Hampshire County, Mass., 
in 1771, and died in 1850. He left there in die spring of i8o<3, and came on a 
sled to this town, settling on Military Lot Xo. 20. With him were his wife, 
father, mother, and three children. His wife, Lucy Porter, daughter of Dr. 
Porter, of North Williamstown, Mass., died in 1812. His second wife, Electa 
Cleaveland, died in 1863. 

Samuel Porter Rhoades was born in 1802, and died in 1872. He was born 
in Chesterfield, Mass., and came to this town when he was but four years of age 
with his father, who settled immediately on Military Lot No. 20, and in about a 
year thereafter raised a frame dwelling, which is still in a good state of preserva- 
tion, and now used for a tenant-house for a farm-laborer. 

E.vRLY Settlers, F.\RiiEKS, .and Others before 1803. 

We give herewith a list of the names and locations of farmers and other 
early settlers who came here before 1803, who grubbed out the forest trees, and 
prepared these lands for cultivation. These names have been taken from several 
very early ledgers kept by mercliants who did business here from 1796 to 1805. 
The locations were furnished by the late Nathaniel Miller, who settled in the 
village in 1807. His recollection of men and events was very clear: 

Aldridge, Robert, farmer, lived near Col. Clark. 

Amidon, Asabel, farmer. Marietta; Otisco Valley. 

.\nnis, Jacobus, came here from Minisink, Orange County, N. Y. ; in 1795 kept 
the first tavern in town ; it was the first building on the well-known Anson 
Lapham place, now owned by Samuel Roosevelt (1899). 

Austin, Aaron, farmer and clothier, on the Frank Austin farm. 

Bacon, Amos, Sennett, on County Line Road. 

Bacon, Asa, Jr., tanner and shoemaker; built the I.ouvisa Pomeroy house on 
West Genesee Street. 

Bacon, Jacob, Esq., Spafford. 

Bacon, James, Spafiford ; Sempronius. 

Bacon, Rufus, farmer, Sennett. 

Bailey, Aaron, farmer, next to James Morse farm. 

Bailey, Jetha, farmer, on Colvin farm. 

Bailey, John, farmer, on the Joe Bassctt farm. 

Baker, Jeptha, farmer, near Marcellus. 

Baker, Robert, shoemaker; R. J. Baker's father. 

Barnes, Eli. miller, in W. J. \re(lcnburg's mill. 

Bascomb, Silas, farmer, opposite to Thomas Bradford's place. 



54 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Benedict, Peter, miller, brother of Samuel ; was killed at Black Rock by the 
British during the \\'ar of 1812; also had a nephew killed at the same time 
by the British. 

Benedict, Samuel, M.D., lived on the Jessee Simmons place. 

Benscotir, John, farmer, on Lot No. 84, near Benson's. 

Benson, Stephen, Alanson's brother; Mrs. William Fuller's father. 

Berry, Richard, farmer, on J. L. Mason farm. 

Brackett, Christopher, Elbridge. 

Briggs, Daniel, William S. Briggs' fatlier ; owned }vlilitary Lot No. 60. 

■Briggs, John, built the tavern on Shear place; was Mrs. Hitchcock's fatlier. 
Briggs died June 25, 1839, eighty-two years old. 

Briggs, Samuel, farmer, lived west of factory on old road. 

Brinckerhoff, James, farmer, Owasco. 

Brinckerhofif, Luke T., farmer, lived in Niles. 

Bristol, John, potash boiler for Winston Day. 

Brown, John, stage-driver for Sherwood. 

Burnes, John, farmer, Fred Kidder farm, on road to Clintonville. 

Burns, Eleazer, Marcellus ; lived on place of John Burns, Jr. 

Burroughs, James, farmer, opposite the John Joyce farm. 

Burroughs, William, stage-driver for Sherwood. 

Carpenter, — , farmer, on George H. Carpenter farm. 

Chapman, Amasa, farmer, on John Chicles' farm ; owned the Perry farm. 

Clark, Eli, farmer, Foster's father, lived near Colonel Lamb's place. 

Codcy, Joseph, built the tavern in Clintonville ; was a farmer. 

Conkin, Abraham, farmer, on the road west of the factory. 

Conklin, Samuel, farmer, near Borodino. 

Cook, Sheldon, farmer, west side of the lake. 

Cook, Wareham, inventor of Cook's Salve, lived on Nathan Bond jilace. 

Copp, Timothy, farmer. Thorn Hill. 

Cortrite, Sylvester, father of Wilhelmus. on Tlenum Fulton farm. 

Cortrite, Wilhelmus, farmer, on Heman Fulton farm. 

Cotton, Owen, millwright, removed to Attica ; was over eighty years old. 

Covel, Joshua, farmer, on Hasbrook farm. 

Crandall, Silas, tavern-keeper, opposite Jacob Allen. 

Cross, Joseph, farmer, had a hare-lip; lived east of Compton's, on Jarat Smith farm. 

Cuddeback, Abraham, came here in the year 1795; died August t8, 1796, agetl 
eighty-three years. 

Cuddeback, Peter, 2d, farmer, on David Cuddeback farm. 

Danforth, Flenry, was an early merchant on Lake House corner, after Winston 
Day; owned Military Lot No. 86; went from here to Pittsburg. 

Dascomh, William, Alvin's father: first kept tavern on William Clark place ; after- 
ward kept the old tavern in this village, on site of the present Savings Bank. 



HISTORy Ul- SKAM.ATELES. 55 

Day. Kowlaiul, a fonncr merchant here ; w as clerk or partner of Xornian Leonard ; 

afterward went to Moravia, and was elected to Congress from Owasco 

District. 
iJe Long, Ira, farmer, lived on north part of Obadiah Thome's fann. 
Denning, Moses P.., was clerk in Dascomb's tavern ; afterward clerk for John 

Legg; afterward was a constable. 
De.xter, Asa, was a comb-maker and pedlcr, w ith Cyrus Glass' father, and related 

to the Earlls. 
Earll, Abijah, farmer, Col. Daniel Earll's father. 
Earll. Daniel, distiller. 
Earll, David, lived on William Earll farm. 
Earll, David, Jr., on Shcppcrd Earll farm. 
Earll, Xathaniel, Jonas' son. 

Earll, Gen. Robert, Hezekiah's father, owned Red House. 
P2arll, Solomon, built the distillery below Willow Glen (paper-mill). 
Earll, William, Shepperd Earlls father. 

Edwards, Abner, lived on Gale farm, old house north of Gale's. 
Edwards, Alanson, kept tavern here in 1822. 
Edwards, .\Ianson, Jr., school teacher; was once County Clerk. 
Edwards, Ebenczcr, farmer, J. Augustus Edwards' uncle; lived on John Dix fann. 
Edwards, Solomon. Sr., father of J. .-\ug\istus. 
Edwards, Thaddeus, farmer, on Gale farm. 
Edwards, Thaddeus, 2d, cooper in village. 

Egglestone, John, blacksmith, worked for Captain James Hall. 
Egglestone, Samuel, on Egglestone farm, near Wiltsie farm. 
Eells, Xathaniel, farmer and cooper, owned the C. Pardee place. 
Ennis, Jacobus, owned and lived very early on the Lapham place. 
Farnham, Reuben, school teacher here on Potter lot; afterward studied law with 

Freeborn G. Jewett. 
Fitzgerald, John, farmer, east side of the lake. 
Frisby, Benjamin, chairmaker anri painter, in rear of old tavern. 
Gardner, James, farmer, lived on Dor Austin farm. 
Gilbert, Abijah, farmer and carpenter; built Benson's first barn: learned his 

trade of Eliphalet Iloyt; resided near Ilolcomb Peck's, in this town. 
Gillett, Michael, farmer, ami saw-mill north i>f Shotwell barn. 
Gleason, Amasa, painter; shop where old engine-house was. 
Granger, David, lived on Parker Wright place, beyond brick scluMilhouse, al>ove 

C. Pardee. 
Granger, Isaac, farmer, occupied Amos R. Pardee farm. 
Greves, Thomas, early tailor: was Dr. Evelyn's uncle. 
Greenman, Edward, father of .'^anuiel H. Grecnman, of this town 
Gunn, Hezekiah, farmer, on < )sman Rhoades' farm. 
Hall, David, came to this town in March. iSoT). 



56 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Hall, Dr. Jonathan, practised medicine hereabout; was great on smallpox. 

Hall, Seth, carpenter and wagon-maker. 

Harris, George, laborer, worked for Norman Leonard. 

Hatch, Asa, farmer, on Warren Hatch farm. 

Hatch, Timothy, farmer, and kept tavern. 

Hecox, Cyrus, brother of Col. Warren Hecox. 

Hodge, Israel, near Mandana. 

Hodges, Isaac, farmer, west of Mandana, next to Gleason's. 

Hosmer, Simeon, farmer, on Wills Clift farm ; William Fuller farm. 

Ingham, Samuel, early merchant and clerk for John Meeker. 

Jones, Amos, Esq., farmer, Mandana; a great snuff-taker; had been a Justice 

of the Peace before he came here. 
Jones, Elijah, Henry Jones' father. 
Jones, Henry, Constable here. 

Keith, Phinneas. Think he was a tailor here, in early times. 
Kellogg, Jessee, Dorastus' father, and agent for Judge Sanger. 
Kingsley, Bela, farmer, was uncle to J. Augustus Edwards. 
Kneeland, Asa, carpenter and joiner. 

Kneeland, John, or Amasa, schoolmaster at Joab Clift's ; also in this village. 
Lane, Ezra, school teacher here before 1807. 

Lee, Ezra, farmer, on John Gregory place ; had a wood-boat on lake. 
Lewis, Abraham, farmer, north part of town. 
Manley, Luther, farmer in this town. 

McKay, Daniel, farmer and mason, lived on Dr. Merrell place. 
McKee, James, farmer, on Lot No. 84. 
Merrell, Elias, laborer here ; worked for Norman Leonard ; owned two-acre lot 

running from Seneca Turnpike to Hamilton Turnpike (Cooper shop lot) ; 

died in 1812. 
Miller, Timothy, laborer here before 1806. 
Millhollen, Henry, well-digger, lived near Borodino. 
Moffett, Ishmael, farmer, next south of Holcomb Peck. 
Niles, Samuel, teamster to Elnathan Andrews while he was building the old 

church where the brick schoolhouse is now, opposite the tavern, of which 

he was contractor. 
Nye, Benjamin, John Nye's father. 
Otis, Cynthia, widow of Nicholas. 
Otis, Nicholas, taught school here, early; died in 1808. 
Parish, Rus.^ell, resided near Mandana in 1805. 
Parsons, Elijah, came here from Northampton, Mass., in 1803, and died October 

26, 1862, aged eighty-three years ; was Moses and John Parson's father. 
I'atchin, Jared, farmer, owned George Gregory farm. 
Peck, Liva, first lived on the Will Willctts farm, and afterward owned the John 

H. Smith farm. 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 57 

Pettis, Joseph and John, who Hved in a small unpainted house next cast of the 

Burnett house, in the village. 
Pierson, John, lived in this town October i6, 1805. 

Porter, Dr. Samuel, an original physician, died June 14, 1843, aged sixty-five years. 
Pratt, Levi, hired man for Alanson Edwards. 

Price, Alexander, fanner, brother of Elijah, who studied law with Daniel Kellogg. 
Price, Elijah, law student with Daniel Kellogg. 
J'utnam, Perley, owned the Baber farm ; was a saddler by trade. 
Rathbun, Benjamin, farmer, Tyler Hollow. 
Kathbun, James H., farmer. Five Mile Point. 
Read, Thomas, farmer, on West Lake Road, north of Mandana. 
Rhoades, Joseph, farmer, Osman Rhoades' father. 

Roberts & Briggs, blacksmiths; shop was on the corner where Stephen A. Clif- 
ford's dwelling is now ; both of these blacksmiths were very early settlers. 
Roberts, Sylvester, blacksmith, Onondaga Street in early times. 
Ivobinson, Samuel and Edmund, were residents in this town in 1802. 
Rose, William, farmer, on Lots Nos. 35 and 37. 
Sabins, Israel, lived at Mottville, or at " Sodom," as it was then called ; was a 

mason by trade. 
Secoy, Peter, lived with Jared Patchin, as hired man, to work his farm. 
Sessions, Amasa, a leading early Baptist, lived on Bradford farm, on East Lake 

Road. 
Seymour, Nathaniel, farmer, East Lake Road. 
Shaw, Samuel, lived at Mottville. 
Shearman, Briggs, farmer, lived on west side of lake; was connected with the 

Bentley family; was also a carpenter. 
Stanton, Phinncas, farmer, lived up the lake. 
Stringham, Jacob, was at one time a blacksmith in this village. 
Thomas, William, David's father. 
\'ail, Daniel, Jr., came from Goshen, Orange County, X. Y., in 1791, with Moses 

Carpenter; was also a farmer, west of Mottville (town line) ; was Norman 

Leonard's distiller, on the outlet. 
\'an Orsdell, John, distiller for Leonard in first still below village, on the outlet. 
Wiltsey, Joseph, Marsh's father. 



Early Settlers, F.vrmers, and Others before 181 5. 

Allen, Miles, miller, owned the Weed mill; Robert Earll's son-in-law. 

Austin, Reuben, laborer here in 181 5. 

Bacon, Amos, shoemaker, Colonel Hccox's brother-in-law. 

Bates, Joshua, farmer ami blacksmitli. on the John Joyce farm. 



S8 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Bebee, Alexander M., lawyer, lived where Sydney Smith now resides; went to 

Utica from here ; died in Utica ; first came here with John S. Furman 

about 1804. 
Belamy, Samuel, farmer, on George F. Shotwell place. 
Belding, Silas, gatekeeper near Jacob Allen's. 
Benedict, Amos, farmer, Skaneateles. 
Benedict, Micajah, farmer, Sennett, near Owls' Xest. 
Bennett, Peleg, crazy man. 

Benson, Abijah, tanner, currier, and shoemaker, Benson Street. 
Benson, Elkannah, farmer, pottery manufacturer, Skaneateles, near Owasco. 
Bentley, Joseph, farmer, on the Valentine Willetts farm. 
Birch, Jeremiah, farmer, Dutch Hollow, Niles. 

Blodgett, Nathan, potash-boiler for John Meeker ; lived in the Huxtable house. 
Booth, Jonathan, merchant here ; store site on B. Lee's office ; died September 24, 

1840, aged seventy-eight years. 
Bowen, Almerin, farmer, lived on the Wyckoti' farm. 
Boyd, George, laborer here; was intemperate. 
Bradley, Myrick, farmer, lived on S. C. Conover place; was afterward killed in 

Syracuse. 
Brainerd, Sebe, farmer, east side of the lake. 
Briggs & Hall (Isaac and David), merchants here at the time. 
Burnett, Stephen, teamster here. 
Bums, Eleazer, potash-boiler for John Meeker. 
Burroughs & Co., here in 181 1. 

Burroughs, Daniel, farmer and carding-machine maker, on Vine Warner farm. 
Burroughs, John, farmer, Alvin's father. 
Burroughs, William, farmer, lived on the Henry Vary farm. 
Cady, Palmer, tavern-keeper in the Gulf; husband of Mrs. Francis. 
Capen, John, brother-in-law of Selah Thompson ; was blind. 
Chandler, Joshua, farmer, one of the first settlers, up the east side of the lake 

near William Briggs. 
Chapman, Ashbel, farmer, lived on the Luther Clark place, Skaneateles. 
Chase, Stephen, blacksmith; manufactured hoes; moved to Lysander, where 

he died. 
Cleaveland, Asaph, farmer, Skaneateles. 
Cody, Elijah, farmer, near Clintonville. 
Coe & Marsh, kept the Sherwood tavern here. 
Coe, Alvin, fast young man, brother of Noble. 
Coe, John, painter by trade, lived on the old Betsey Clark place. 
Coe, Noble, tavern-keeper, owned the old tavern opposite the old meeting-house. 
Cole, Elijah, farmer, owned Community farm. 
Coon, George, farmer, east of Compton's. 
Cotton, George H., millwright, owned the mill lure. 



HISTORY OF SK.IXEATELES. 59 

/.I iKiili-liack. Jacol), came to this country in the year 1690 anil settled in Orange 

County, in this State. All the Cnddebacks in this section were descended 

from him. 
Curtis, Ezra S., studied law with Daniel Kcllogp. 
Curtis, James, carpenter and joiner, lived on John Clark place. 
Daggett, James, teamster between Albany and Skaneateles, lived in tlic •iiiif, 

near Guppy's. 
Davis, Solomon, farmer, west side of lake, on Asa Foote's farm. 
Dayley, James, fanner, moved to (7)iiio, and went into the counterfeit business 

there. 
Dayley. John, farmer, turned ^[ornll>n and left town. 
Dayley, Moses, farmer, turned Mormon and left for Ohio. 
Denio, Cotton, sold to Samuel Francis his place in 1813. 
Dennison, Daniel, farmer, on west side of the lake. 

Dibble, Philo, harness-maker, came here in 1812; shop on Dr. Campbell's place. 
Diffins, Samuel, farmer, an Irishman, lived on the Chauncey Tliornc farm. 
IDodge, .\braiiam. farmer, had the best farm in Marcellus. 
Dorhance, John, farmer, on Captain Taylor's farm. 

Douglass, William B., built the Milford House ; was a patent ris^ht pedler. 
Dwinnell, Stephen, farmer, Sennett. 
Earll. Cotton & Lewis, millers, owned the mill here. 
Earll, Abijah, farmer, Colonel Daniel's father and on same fanii. 
Earll, Watson, farmer, grandfather of Delescus. 
Earll, William, Thorn Hill, father of Shepperd. 

Eaton, Mancasseh, merchant, Clintonvilie, and afterward kept tavern at l^lbridge. 
Edwards, Abner, farmer. East Lake Road, in the old house next this side of the 

old Ellery place. 
Edwards, Alanson, Jr., school teaciier ; once County Clerk. 
Eells, Horace, son of Xathaniel, cooper on the Pardee place; his father Xathaniel 

built the Fibliens tavern about the year 181 2. 
Enos, Joseph, farmer, east si<le of the lake. 

Foote, Ebenezcr, farmer, brother of Timothy, moveil to r)hio ; lived on Giles place. 
Footc, Timothy, farmer. Perry's father. 
Frink, Francis, attended grist-mill here; was N'elson's father; c<plore<l man, 

rather black than otherwise. 
Frost, Josepli, farmer, uncle to Rnsscl. 

Gibson, John, carpenter and joiner, resided on the Loncy place. 
Glynn. Charles, well-digger, west side of the lake. 

Green, Samuel, tailor, shop on the lake where Charles Hall's yellow shop is now. 
Greenman, Edward, farmer, cross-road from Mandana to Owasco. 
Hall, P.arnabas, farmer, on Sim Cuddeback place: was here before 1805. 
Hall, Eli, son of Barnabas. 
Hall, Gershom. farmer, on P.rainerd place. 



6o HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Hall, Laomi, son of Gershom. 

Hallibert, Eleazer, blacksmith, Borodino. 

Harmon, John E., laborer here. 

Harvey, Medad, farmer, Spafiford. 

Harwood, Henry, shoemaker, worked for Colonel Hecox. 

Haynes, Stephen, farmer, on Bill Coon place. 

Hecox, Augustus, tin-shop, brother to Ambrose. 

Hecox, Samuel, brother to Warren, merchant; firm of Ludlow & Hecox in 1812. 

store about where Mrs. Wheeler's is now. 
Hecox, Warren, tanner and shoemaker. 

Hempstead, John, farmer, Clintonville, on August Reed farm. 
Hilliard, William, was employed in the grist-mill here. 
Holt, Nicholas, worked in wheel-head factory at Mottville. 
Hunt, John, farmer. Baptist deacon. 
Hurd, Thaddeus L., farmer, on Lorenzo Sweet farm. 
Kelsey, Nathan, here in 1798; brickmaker, stamped his name on every brick he 

made. 
Kneeland, Horace, son of Asa. 
Kneeland, Warren, almanac pedler. 

Lake, Salmon, bed-quilt weaver in the Mrs. Warner house here. 
Lane, Ezra, school teacher here in 1807. 
Leonard, Norman, merchant, 1810. 
Lesley, Frederick, distiller here before 1820, afterward went to Indiana and died 

there. 
Levins, Noah, farmer and tavern-keeper in the old Dascomb tavern. 
Livingston, John W., U. S. Marshal of Northern New York in 1822; owned the 

Brainerd place. 
Ludlow & Hecox, merchants here, 1812; Cyrus Smith was their clerk. 
Mason, Eddy, farmer, Sennett, and Baptist preacher. 
Mason, Levi, Justice of the Peace in this town. 
McKay, Simon, hatter, carpenter, and joiner. 
Mills, Isaac, farmer, settled on Lot No. 61, Marcellus, in May, 1803; came from 

Stillwater, Saratoga County, when twenty-four years old ; was married, 

and brought one child (a daughter) with liini : Timothy Alills, his son, 

now lives on same farm. 
Mudge, Joel, worked in the factory. 
Newton, Aden, potash-boiler for Norman Leonard. 
Newton, Jeduthan, was a distiller when he first came from W-rmont in 1814, and 

had a potashery. 
Northam, Alfred, lawyer here, in company with James Porter or F. G. Jewett, 

and was Justice of the Peace for some years. 
Northam, James, clerk for Norman Leonard. 
Parsons, Spencer, cabinet-maker. 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 61 

Peck, Liva, came here in 1807, first lived on the Will Willetts farm, ami afterward 

owned the John H. Smith place. 
Ponieroy, Lovisa, milliner here. 
Pratt, William, physician here from 1807. 

Putnam, Pcrley, harness-maker and saddler, owned the Babcr farm. 
Rhoades, Samuel, Jr., Lewis Rhoades' father. 
Rice, Christian, farmer, lived where John Eggleston now lives. 
Riker, George, stage-driver for Sherwood. 
Roberts & Briggs, Sylvester and Harry, blacksmiths. 
Root, Josiah, farmer. Deacon Root, near Joab Clift's. 
Rust, Jehiel, farmer, on Amos Pardee's farm. 
Sabin, Miles, lived at Mottville. 
Selover, Isaac A., carpenter and joiner, built the old meeting-house for Elnathan 

Andrews, who was the contractor. 
Se^Tnour, David, farmer and brickmaker, lived and had his kiln on the E. Reuel 

Smith place. 
Shaver, Adam H., farmer, Dutch Hollow. 
Sherman & Gibson, carpenters. 
Sherwood, Isaac, bom in Williamstown, Mass., October 12, 1769, and died April 

24, 1840, at the age of seventy years. 
Skaneateles Manufacturing Co. — William Gibbs, Samuel Rhoades, and others, 

made woolen cloth at Willow^ Glen. 
Skeels, Simeon, farmer, east side of the lake. 
Slater, Ransom, butcher here in 181 7. 
Smith, Elcazer, Jr., farmer, on the Mart De Witt farm. 
Smith, Ephraim, farmer, on the Joseph Tallcott farm. 
Smith, Stephen, bartender for Sherwood. 
Sprague, John S., shoemaker, 1817. 
Stevens, Ezra, shoemaker, inventor of the process of pegging shoes and boots, 

was always known as Peg Stevens. 
Ten Eyck, John, postmaster here, also Justice of the Peace; his store was on the 

present site of the Episcopal church. 
Thomas, Reuben, farmer, west side of the lake. 
Thompson, Andrew, son of John Thompson. 
ToUes, Chester, farmer, lived on the Thomas Bradford farm; was drowned in the 

lake, knocked overboard by the boom. 
\'an Etten, Jacob W., farmer, on the Dor Austin farm. 
Waller, Daniel, farmer, on George Clark fami. 
Warner, Ebenezer, farmer. Vine Warner's father. 
Watson. Daniel, tanner and shoemaker. 
Watson, Isaac, brother of Daniel. 
Weston, Jonathan, Columbus' father. 
Wightman, Arunnah, farmer, on the Jacob Allen place. 



62 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Wilder, Warren, carpenter and joiner at Alottville ; choked to death while eating 

dinner. 
Wilkinson, Shubael, cousin to Alfred. 
Wood, William S., goldsmith and watchmaker, owned the Dr. Campbell place. 

Ministerial Items. — The following ministerial items are from the mem- 
oranda of the sexton of the old Congregational meeting-house in this village : 

Rev. David Higgins, Congregational missionary from Connecticut, preached 
a sermon in the afternoon of June 3, 1801, from Romans v. 5. The minister stood 
to show the ground and nature and effects of the hope from the following text, 
" And hope maketh not ashamed." 

Rev. Mr. Livingston, evening discourse, August 10, 1810. 

Rev. Mr. Walker preached from Romans iv. 24, July 29, 1809. 

Rev. Mr. Colton preached from St. John vii. 27, August 6, 1809. 

Old Receipt. — The following receipt from an old Skaneateles manuscript is 
given verbatim : 

" The Manor of Dressing Deer Skins. — To soak the skins about three days if 
dry, after hair is taken off they must be dryd. Then make a liquor of brains or oil, 
the skins must be put in about milk warm, after thurily soak the\- nuist be wrung 
out streach and puld till dry." 

D.-^NIEL Briggs. — Daniel Briggs was the only permanent resident of the 
town who purchased a military lot from a soldier of the Revolutionary War. 
The lot was No. 60, and the soldier's name was Henry Lake. 

John S. Furm.vn .\nd Alexander Becee. — John S. Furman and Alexander 
Bebee came here from New York together in 1806. Afterward Bebee returned 
to New York, married a Miss Roorback, and brought her here to live. 

Aaron Austin. — Aaron Austin came here from Vermont as early as 1796, 
and afterward established on the outlet, near the site of the present State dam, 
the first cloth dressing and fulling mill in the county, continuing it until his 
death in 1836. His old family residence, built about iSio, is now the home of 
Franklin Austin. In an old deed, recorded in the County Clerk's office, he was 
designated as a " clothier." He probably sold cloth to the early settlers. 

DoRASTus Lawrence. — Dorastus Lawrence, who was the son of Col. Bigelow 
Lawrence, of Marcellus, was a settler in 1801, coming here from Vermont. He 
was one of the pioneers in this section of country and was more or less identified 
with the early history and business of Onondaga County. During the War of 
)8i2 he was captain of the militia company which comprised the able-bodied 
male inhabitants of the territory of Skaneateles and Marcellus. and marched with 
it to repel the British at Oswego. He served in the Assembly in 1830, and was 
Slierifif of Onondaga Coimty in 1834. His death occurred February 11, 1862, in 
the seventy-sixth year of his age. 

William Clii-t. — William Clift came from \'ermont in March. 1793. when 
there was not a house where Skaneateles village is now. and but one at llarden- 
bnrgh's Corners, now .Auburn. lie settled with his fatluT i>n the same farm 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 63 

which lie occupied at the time of his death, having lived more than sixty-seven 
years on the same premises, Clift's Corners. He died in Sennett, October 18, 1862, 
aged eighty-four years. 

Elijah P.xrsgxs. — Elijah Parsons came \.o this place from N'orthampton, 
Mass., in 1805. He died October 25, 1862, aged eighty-three years. 



The Town ov Skaxe.\tele:s. 

The earliest actual settlement was in the spring of 1794. The attraction t.> 
this part of the State was the low rate at which the Military Bounty land could be 
])urchased. The pioneers who first came to this section of the State were prin- 
cipally from the Xew England States, and only a few from the eastern section of 
this State. 

The Earlv Pio.veers. — Who among our farming population can coni])rclien(! 
the resolution, hardships, and trials experienced by the early settlers, in leaving 
their old homes and attachments of relatives and friends in New England Staler 
and in the eastern part of this State? Starting out with their rude sleds durin;; 
the winter season, and with two-wheeled carts at other seasons of the year, 
loaded with household furniture of all descriptions, wives and children, with food 
l)oth for themselves and for their cattle and stock, they made long and tedious 
journeys of from two hundred to three hundred miles through an almost unset- 
tled country in search of new homes in a wilderness. How could they find shelter 
for their families during the inclement seasons of the year? There were then 
no bridges, no roads, and, after passing the Hudson River, absolutely nothing 
but a simple path through the dense forest to guide them to their destination. 

The pioneer had to meet the difficulty of making a fire to cook his food, with 
no handy kindlings to start a blaze. His tinder-box, too, must be dry. In fact, 
he must encounter all kinds of hardships. He must walk the whole journey, 
driving his oxen, and have his family ride. How could he supply Iiis draft 
animals with food and give them rest? How could he provide his family with 
food, and particularly bread, if he did not anticipate this deprivation by laying 
in a stock of hard biscuit, or what is called navy bread, such as sailors at sea 
are fed upon? 

" Through the deep wiUIcriicss. where scarce the sun 
Can cast his darts, along the winding path 
The pioneer is treading. In his grasp 
Is his keen ax, that wondrous instrument. 
That, like the talisman, transforms 
Deserts to fields and cities. He has left 
His home in which his early years have passed. 
And led by hope, and full of restless strength, 
Has pUinged within the forest, there to plant 
His destiny. Beside some rapid stream 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

He rears his log-built cabin. When the chains 
Of winter fetter nature, and no sound 
Disturbs the echoes of the dreary woods, 
Save when some stem cracks sharply with the fros 
Then merrily rings his ax, and tree on tree 
Crashes to earth ; and when the long, keen night 
Mantles the wilderness in solemn gloom. 
He sits beside the ruddy hearth, and hears 
The fierce wolf snarling at the cabin door, 
Or through the lowly casement sees his eye 
Gleam like a burning coal." 

— Alfred B. Swee 



Xow let us follow the early settler to his home in the wilderness, and when 
lie erects his log house. The opening he has made in the forest at first was 
only such as was necessary to supply the logs for the construction of his house 
and to let his cattle browse. He has come a long journey with an ox-team, a horse, 
a couple of pigs, and a few sheep. These, with a few articles of furniture, 
including two or three chairs, a pot, and a kettle, seed potatoes and other seeds 
required in forming a new home, also a few indispensable articles of house- 
keeping, of course not excepting a tinder-box, all necessary conveniences, con- 
stitute his outfit and the bulk of his worldly wealth. He has no money and had 
none to bring. He constructs the roof of his house of peeled elm-bark. His 
scanty window is oiled or greased paper, for glass is a luxury which has not yet 
found its way into the wilderness. The floor of his house is at first the naked 
ground covered with forest leaves; then with his ax he splits straight-grained 
logs, and lays them on the ground for an improved floor for his log house. No 
boards are to be had, as there are no sawmills w^ithin at least a hundred miles. 
There are yet no roads and no bridges across the streams, which at all seasons 
of the year are filled with rushing waters. Miles and miles away, through the 
dense forest and underbrush, is his nearest neighbor. Such is the spot which 
the pioneer has chosen in which to carve out his future home and fortune. 
Against what fearful odds is he battling! The trees which cover his grounds 
with the growth of centuries are to be attacked and cleared away, and his land 
to be paid for by his industry and economy. The task is surely a Herculean one, 
but he has a stout heart and a strong arm. 

A year or two pass away, and we see the improvements which he has made. 
Our pioneer has chopped down the trees and cleared a few acres. He has made 
a rail fence near his house to inclose a garden. Here he has raised some 
vegetables during the season, which have supplied the first delicacies for his 
household table. A crop of corn, pumpkins, and potatoes has been raised among 
the charred and blackened logs. The crop of corn is, owing to imperfect growth 
and cultivation, very small. Tiicre are no grist-mills or other facilities for 
grinding, therefore he has extemporized a contrivance for converting his corn 



HISTORY OF SK.IXF.ATELES. 65 

into coarse meal. A mortar lias been biirned out of a lianlwood stump, and the 
hollow in the center worn down with sandstone. A pestle of hardwood has been 
suspended to a sapling over the mortar, and with this rude appliance is pounded 
the corn to supply the needs of his family, except on extraordinary occasions 
when wheaten bread from his limited growth of wheat is desired as a luxury, 
in which case the wheat is pounded in his mortar, and is real " whole wheat " and 
very coarse. 

But look again at our pioneer. Ten years are supposed to have passed away. 
His premises, formerly so rude, have begun to have the appearance of careful 
management, thrift, and even comfort. Here is the statement of an early settler 
(Col. Warren Hecox), within five years after the first settler located in the 
town of Skaneateles: 

" In 1799 there was an uncommon scarcity of grain, and he had to send to 
Scipio, twenty miles, to pay two dollars and fifty cents for one bushel of wheat. 
He could only raise money enough to purcliase a single bushel at a time. He 
hired a horse at fifty cents a day, and sent a boy eighteen miles to Montville, in 
Sempronius, to get his bushel ground, wiiich took two days, the mills at Harden- 
burgh's Corners, now Auburn, and at Camillus having stopped running on account 
of the great drought of that season. Many of his neighbors were in a worse 
predicament, for they could get neither money nor wheat." 

\'arious crops are growing on his acres of cleared land. A payment has 
been made on the property. He has had a neat framed barn built, a well sunk, 
provided with curb and sweep, and a garden inclosed with a picket fence. A 
look into his fields shows a large increase of his stock. The improvements of 
his neighbors have reached his, so that he can now look out. without looking 
up. A school district has been organized, and a comfortable log school- 
house appears in the distance. A substantial framed bridge spans the 
stream in place of the primitive one built of logs. Our pioneer, we may now 
venture to assume, is either Colonel or Captain of militia. Supervisor of the 
town, or Justice of the Peace. 

Take another view of him. Forty-five years are supposed to have elapsed 
since we saw him commencing his wilderness home. Not only is his home, but 
the houses of his neighbors around him are in a well-cultivated and rich section 
of farming country. His lands arc free from debt. He is a forehanded and 
independent farmer, having founded and worked out his own fortune by long 
years of patient and persevering industry. 

.Such has been the pioneer life and jirogress in Onondaga Comity. Who is 
there at the present day who would undertake such a journey as has Wen <lo- 
scribed by our pioneer, when he left his old home with his family (or a journey 
through the dense forest of from two hundred to three hundred miles to a new 
home in the wilderness? Whi) would undertake such a journey for any con- 
sideration, even if it were possible? The whole face of the country has changed 
since then. The forest ha-; b.-n •.!.... ,vi .ntjrclv cleared, rr"ir....i. i.,<.- i-.n 



66 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

built, rivers bridged, telegraphic communication established under and above the 
ocean and all over the continents of the earth, and all the wonderful inventions 
of the present day invented by the American people. 

John Legg. — John Legg was born in Belchertown, Mass., in March, 1773, 
came to Skaneateles in 1804, and .started a blacksmith's shop on the north side 
of the road. Belchertown, his native place, has always been noted for its ex- 
tensive manufacture of carriages, sleighs, and wagons, and Mr. Legg had 
[previously worked at that business before he came here. 

He was one of the pioneers of this section of Onondaga County. The town 
v>as sparsely settled when he came here in 1804, and it was men of his enter- 
prising character that gave stimulus not only to the town, but to the village. 
He was quite a young man when he came to Skaneateles, but by steady business 
liabits and an energy which knew no bounds he finally built uj) an extensive 
carriage manvifacturing establishment, second to none in the State of New York. 
He was energetic and industrious, with frugal habits and an upright, honest 
heart. Possessing all these traits, his success was assured, and the result was 
the accumulation of a competence much beyond the ordinary achievement of 
those days. And while he labored for individual success, he also had a mind 
and heart filled with generous impulses, which were manifested in deeds of 
benevolence. John Legg died in Skaneateles. December 19, 1857, aged eighty- 
four. 

History of the Shepard F.\Mn.v. — The following manuscript was found in 
a book belonging to the Skaneateles Library, which book was formerly used by a 
canvassing agent in soliciting subscribers for "The History of Onondaga 
County " : 

" In the year 1794, John Shepard and Zalmon Terrell, brother-in-law of John 
Shepard, came from the town of Newton, Fairfield County, Conn., and settled 
in what is now known as ' The Shepard Settlement.' Terrell bought one hundred 
acres from Gould Steel, on Military Lot No. 5. They put up a house, as they 
called it then, of logs, and split basswood for the floor, and shingled it with 
' shucks,' as they called them, that is, oak rived out like staves three feet long, 
and laid on ribs. They had a blanket for a window, and the door was so con- 
structed as to enable them to draw in backlogs with a horse. They cleared 
off a few acres and planted it to corn. When they were hoeing, Nathan Kelsey 
ranie down and said to them, ' It seems to me that you are digging your potatoes 
pretty early,' he having mistaken the round gravel-stones for potatoes, with 
which the ground was filled. 

" The next winter Terrell went F,ast, and brought back his wife and family. 
In 1796 John Shepard bought one hundred acres on Lot No. 12, and married the 
same year. He went out across Cayuga Lake with an ox-team and sled after 
wheat, and on his return, when coming across the same lake, his team broke 
through the ice and his wheat got wet. He came as far as Hardcnburgh's 
Corners. There was at that time a mill at Clarksville. He left his grist at this 



inSTORy or SK.lXE.IThLES. 67 

mill, and the miller agreed to <lry the wheat; but, when Shepanl went after it, 
the miller had not done anything witii it, in consequence of which his family 
had to live on musty bread that year. He had built a house on his land, and one 
morning, just before daybreak, he heard his hog squeal out in the woods. He 
ran to the door, and the hog was but a little way off. Instead of taking his gim, 
he caught up a pitchfork that was standing close by, and ran toward the hog, when 
he found, an old bear with the hog, gnawing the hog on the shoulder. He threw 
the fork at the bear. Whether it hit him or not he did not stay to see, for the 
bear left the hog and took after him. He ran and climbed up a small tree, and 
then began to halloo. Terrell soon heard him, and ran out to the place, but there 
was not any bear to be seen ; biit they got up the story that, when Terrell got there, 
instead of being up a tree, Shepard sat on the ground, clasping the tree for fear he 
would fall. 

" His first child was born July 4, 1798, who has since been known as ' Major 
Shepard." The Gazetteer states that Stephen Zoles was the first child born, but 
Major was more than a year okler than Stephen. Three other brothers and 
a sister came, and they all had large families. There is none left now but Edward 
Shepard and his family." 

Recollections of Mrs. C. J. Blrnett, Sk. — The first religious services 
heUI in the village were in the spring of 1803, in a large room on the second floor 
of the old tavern, then known as Welch's Tavern, next east of Winston Day's 
house. The stairs were of rough boards, and the seats were rough boards laid 
in the form of benches. Baptist and Methoflist missionaries held the services, 
and the people generally, without regard to sect, atten<led the services. 

The first Episcopal missionary who came through this part of the State was 
named Chase, who afterward became Bishop. It is not known that he held 
any services here in the village. Rev. Davenport Phelps came here later, ami 
held a .service in the ui)per hall of W. J. Wedenburg's house, on which occasion 
he administered communion there. Seats were arranged in the upper hall for 
the people, and all the people in the neighborhood attended. Mr. and Mrs. 
C. J. Burnett received their first communion at this service. This missionary 
while here baptized Charles J. lUirnett, Jr. Jonathan Booth and family, John S. 
Fumian, .\le.\ander Bebee, and William J. X'redenburg and family were the 
only church families locatefl here. The communion services were first hel<l in 
1809. lienjaiTiin Onderdonk, who was afterward Bishop of Xew York, came 
here ne.xt. and held ser^'ices in a building used as a store, one-half of which was 
fitted for la\ reading. The other half was not only a store, but a jmst-office. It 
was jiainted yellow outside. .Afterward this same building was moved to an- 
other part of the village, and fitted fur a store. A man by the name of Lovejoy 
kept store in it for a few months, then he went West. 

Mr. Wedenburg. Mr. C. J. Iturnett, and Mr. John S. Furman read service 
in the yellow building mentioned above, in the ab.sencc of missionaries. 

Iiiiiv P.iJKiiif — I.1I111 r.ristcil. line nf niir first pioneers, came tn ibis t.iwii in 



68 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

1/93 from Connecticut. He cleared and fenced five acres of land the first summer 
entirely alone. He bought his land at twenty shillings per acre. The next year 
he removed his family, on a sled with two yoke of oxen, from Galway, Saratoga 
County, N. Y., where he had left them before coming into the forest. He was 
ten days coming from Galway, one hundred and forty-six miles. He had erected 
a rude cottage beforehand. When he arrived with his family, he had but fifty 
cents in cash. Wheat was worth three dollars and a half a bushel, corn one 
dollar and a half, and common calico seventy-five cents a yard. But industry 
and frugality soon increased his domestic store. The wants of his family were 
not only supplied, but an abundance was raised to spare to the needy settlers as 
they arrived, and plenty crowned their board. He lived a few years thereafter 
to enjoy the fruits of his labor and toil. 



Early Settlers in Skaneateles. 

Abner Bates. — Abner Bates married Electa Edwards, August 2, 1837. She 
died November 14, 1863, aged sixty-four years. He died in Syracuse November 
24, 1890, aged eighty-three years and ten months. 

Simeon Edwards. — Simeon Edwards and family removed from Northampton, 
]\Iass., to Skaneateles in 1809, returned to Northampton, and about 1816 re- 
moved again to Skaneateles. The following is a copy of the letter recommending 
his wife, Lydia Edwards, and their daughter, Clarissa, to the church in 
Skaneateles : 

Northampton-, June 30, 1817. 
Rev. & beloved. 

This certifies that the wife & Clarissa the daughter of Mr. Simeon Edwards are members 
of this church & of A fair character & in good standing, and at their desire & by a vote of this 
church, having removed from us, are recommended to the enjoyment of all christian ordi- 
nances with you — you will receive & treat them as Christians. Wishing ye mercy & grace 
and peace may be multiijlied to you abundantly. 

I am yours in the faith of the gospel. 

SoLO.MO.v WiLLi.wis, Pastor of ye Chh. 



Solomon Williams. — Solomon Williams always wore knee-breeches, silver- 
buckled shoes, and wide-brimmed hat. He was not a showy man, but talented 
and good. 

Samuel Briggs. — Samuel Briggs, who was one of the earliest settlers of this 
town, came here about the year 1800. He was a farmer, and lived west of the 
factory on the old road. He died of inflammation of the lungs, April 19, 1867. 

CoL. Samuel Bellamy. — Samuel Bellamy came from New Haven, Conn., 
to this town, and subsequently purchased the land recorded and described as 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 69 

follows: ■■ Ebonezer R. Hawley to Samuel Bellamy, of Xew Haven, Conn., June 
27, 1806, one hundred and fifty acres in Military Lot No. 44, beginning at 
northwest corner of Solomon Edwards' farm, on east bank of Skaneateles Lake; 
consideration, $1,650." In the year 1809 he was one of the trustees of The 
Skaneateles Religfious Society. He then owned the farm that was afterward 
owned by Captain Benjamin Lee, and since owned by Captain Nash De Cost, 
George F. Shotwell, and Fred Shotwell. 

Daniel McK.w. — Daniel McKay was at one time a resident of this town, 
but afterward went to River Falls, Wis., where he died, December 27, 1865. 
aged eighty-seven years. 

Business in 1834. — The following were doing business in ibf vill.Tij.- in 1834, 
according to the Skaneateles Columbian, October 9, 1834: 

Augustus Kellogg was attorney at law. 

James Gurdon Porter kept a general store. 

Porter & Pardee also kept a general store. They advertised cooperage stock 
as being " made without the contaminating colored hand." This referred 
to a negro cooper employed at that time by Thaddeus Edwards. 

Hannum & Darby (John L. Darby) were running the furnace. 

Gibbs & Burnett (William and C. J. 1'... Jr.), general store. 

Richard Talcott, general store. 

Lewis H. Sand ford, attorney at law. 

Phares Gould, general store. 

-Milton A. Kinney, editor and bookstore. 

Truman Downer, Benjamin Nye, and John H. Earll had the Mottville 
furnace. They were then building the brewery, and advertised to sell 
barley. 

Eaklv Business Firms. 

David Joline, carriage-trimmer, worked for Seth & James Hall. Also adver- 
tised a house and lot for sale in the village, in 1836. 

William M. Beauchamp had a bookstore and circulating library, and bound 
books to order. 

J(jhn Snook, chemist and apothecary. 

R. J. Baker and J. R. Becker, tailors. 

Tohn S. Furman was Secretary of the Skaneateles Academy. 

X. Hawley & Co., general store. 

I{. S. Woicott & Co.. general store. 

Porter & Woicott had a general store in 1828. 

B. C. AL Tucker, cabinet-shop, Hecox Block, 1841. 

\'an Dyke & Davey. wagon-makers. November 14. 1841. and 1S42. 

The First Cuddeback.— The first-known settler in the United Stales by the 
name of Cuddeback emigratol to Peenpack. Minisink, Orange County. N. Y.. 
where he settled in 1690. 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Interesting Sayings and Doings of Ulde.n Times. 

Mr. Samuel Edwards, a former resident, relates in the following letter some 
interesting savings and doings of olden times : 

Mendota, III., ]\Iarcli lo, 1885. 

The notes of old times published in the Democrat [these notes of old times 
refer to those published by E. N. Leslie, about twenty years ago, in the Democrat] 
are read by myself, and probably other old-time residents, with much interest. 
Some of the characters of fifty years ago have not, to my knowledge, been de- 
lineated in your columns, and from their eccentricities they made at that time 
indelible impressions on my memory. 

Dr. Flink, a native of Guinea, formerly a slave in the Clinton or De Witt 
family near Albany, was often seen on the streets, with his saddle-bags over 
his arm, cane in hand, bearing his supposed nearly a hundred years, and pro- 
fessional wisdom, with dignity. At the time of De Witt Clinton's election as 
Governor, the Doctor was eloquent in the street discussions of the day, taking 
an active part with those opposed to Mr. Clinton, and adding as a clincher to his 
arguments, " De Witt Clinton is a — ■ — mean man. I say it, do' I be his uncle." 
The Cuddel)ack family had the credit, no doubt deservedly, of contrilniting 
liberally lo his comfortable support in his old age. ^Meeting one of them in a 
crfnvd, the Doctor pressed a claim for professional services rendered a sick 
animal : " De botecaries cost de money. Dr. Borters, nor I, nor no odder doctor 
can't get the botecaries widout de money. And, relation or no relation, de 
money must come." 

Nate Bennett, a fecble-mimied fellow from South Marcellus, often came to 
the lake to fish, and by his odd speeches made much sport for the boys. I-'roni 
" early morn to dewy eve " he would stand in the water waist-deep, in April or 
May, waves at the time dashing in his face, patiently holding his rod, generally 
with fair success, l)ut sometimes catching nothing. His fish were certainly 
dear, and so highly prized by him that no money could buy them. Josh \\'ilkinson 
had a peculiar faculty of drawing him out in conversation. His failure to 
meet Joab, as he passed the Wilkinson farm on his way to or from the lake, he 
always regretted. At one time, in passing, he came into the field where the 
rest of the men were planting corn : " .Aye. me boy : what kind of corn do you 
plant? Eight-rowed corn or where's Joab?" On one occasion the liennett 
family had a quilting, to which some ladies who recently came into the neighbor- 
hood were invited. The work was being done in an upper room, Xate being 
left below with the injunction to say nothing on the arrival of the strangers. 



HISTORY Ul- SK.lMl.irr.LliS. 7« 

and Ins luciilal state would not be discovcrcil. After repeated knockint;s at 
the do<-)r, with no response from within, it was opened. Xo reply could be 
drawn from Xate to any of their t|uestions. Finally, one of the ladies re- 
marked: "What's the matter witii the boy? Is he a fool?" "There, gals! 
They've foimd out I am a fool, and I didn't say a single word." 

Sol Foster was another resident who made much amusement for the boys 
on training-days by his impersonations of the spinning-girl, mimicking soldiers, 
cr breaking a tenpenny nail in two while held in his ixjwerful jaws, which were 
filled with a fine set of double teeth all around. 

One of the freaks of Sol Foster occurred in connection with the old bark 
Ilamstead schoolhouse, which stood on the top of the " Gulf Hill," a little east 
of the main road which led to Marcellus. It was located in the midst of the 
dense forest, on a clearing just sufficient to build it, and was situated just alwut 
two and a half miles southwest of the village of Marcellus. Of course it was a 
frame building. Even at this period, 1833, the building was a rough one, having 
been constructed of rough materials. The school trustees could not agree as 
to its improvement. Some of them wanted to have a new one built, while others 
wanted to move it to a more desirable and convenient location farther east, 
and some of the trustees disagreed to both plans. Sol Foster was one of the 
latter, as a matter of course. Sol didn't believe in such a wrangling set of 
trustees, which led him to have a spite not only against them, but the schoolhouse 
itself, and one day, as he was passing that way, at a time when school was not 
going on. Sol went in. The Lord said, " Rip "er, Sol." .And Sol did riji her 
spitefully, by demolishing the whole inside of the schoolhouse. .\fter that the 
trustees were obliged to agree to build a new schoolhouse in a more desirable 
place nearer the village of Marcellus. 

The above incident of early times was furnished for this history by an 
early scholar of this original school, who was at that time but seven years of 
age, and it was his earliest schooling in 1833. 

Of all the Skaneateles "boys" who left the shores of that beautiful lake 
for a home elsewhere, not one parted more regretfully with it, and the tlear 
friends around, than the writer. In early chiMliood it was the height of felicity 
to stray from the watchful care of my mother, pick up shells and heaiUiful 
pebbles, float or bathe in its placid waters. Navigation was performed on rafts 
built of driftwood. When older grown, riding in a canoe or skilT placed me at 
the acme of bliss. 

In 1833, when working in the Coltiinhian printing-office, 1 got a task for 
three days, and sat up working at night to gain time for a ride on the lake. 
When the work was done, Wadsworth Francis" toy of a skiflf was hired, but the 
south wind was blowing so furiously that no other Ixty was found fixjlhardy 
enough to share the joys of the excursion. .After a brief struggle alone with 
the waves, it was given up as a bad job. In 1834, Frank ISarker, from Morofjino, 
who was attending scluwl at the .Academy, and my.self sch<Mii\er-riggcd a skifT 



72 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

for half a day's sail. Our nautical knowledge was very limited. He was not 
only mate, but crew also. I assumed the duties of captain, whereby I came very 
near being responsible for then ending the earthly career of that manly boy. 
It was on a cloudy day. The peculiar dark appearance of the water is well 
remembered. A " catspaw," or squall, struck us. Our craft, with twice the 
amount of sail she ought to have carried, shipped several pailfuls of water, 
<ind it seemed almost miraculous we were not drowned. My companion Frank 
Barker was killed by a brother-in-law in Ohio many years afterward. 

One Fourth of July, with other boys, we amused ourselves, and vexed the 
•officers, passengers, and crew of the steamer Independence, by rowing in our 
skifif several times around her while she was being crowded to the utmost. On 
the Fourth of July, 1839, E. G. R. M. and S. B. Burnett, with myself, rowed 
a skiff to the head of the lake and back, one of the most enjoyable days of my life. 

The first switching of my life, as now remembered, was when some half a 
dozen years old, at the beginning of attending school. Aunt Laura Edwards 
was the teacher in a red house where afterward Phares Gould built his residence 
(the C. H. Poor residence). Ives Parsons and myself, occupying one seat, 
persisted in whispering. Ives was called out and patiently endured the cor- 
rection administered. It was a new experience which had not been laid down in 
my progranmie of school exercises, and, on being called out, at the first blow, 
I commenced to kick so furiously as to bring tears in the eyes of my kind teacher, 
who was correcting me for my profit, though at the time it was not as evident 
to my mind as it has been since. Though for many years I have been a practical 
believer in the principles of peace — as held by me a long time — I should have 
saved my retaliation until the time of my last castigation in 1833, when, for 
taking a stroll, one lovely Sunday afternoon in summer, on the banks and 
bathing in the waters of the lake, I was brutally flogged in the Columbian office. 
In my opinion, it is a Christian duty of all who are confined indoors at sedentary 
pursuits thus to enjoy every Sunday afternoon in suitable weather, as shown 
by the great Teacher over eighteen hundred years ago. 

Possibly, I ought to he thankful this episode happened, for it decided me 
not to be a caged-up printer. Samuel Edw.vrds. 

Harrison B. DoDCii. — llairison Barns Dodge, one of the oldest and best- 
known citizens of the town of Skaneateles, died at his home on East Academy 
Street, in this village, at about 5 P. M., Tuesday, November 22, 1898, in the 
eighty-eighth year of his age. His death came as a shock to many friends. 
Though in feeble health, lie had been able to get down-town two or three times 
a week of late, his last trip being made on the Wednesday previous to his decease. 
The closing hours of his life were painless, and he passed peacefully away into 
the Great Beyond. 

Mr. Dodge was born in West Brookfield, Worcester County, IMass., June 
22, 181 1, the son of Lewis and Susanna Barns Dodge, and was of New England 
lineage. Early in life orphaned, and with slight educational advantages, he 



HISTORY ur .^.\A.\EATELES. 73 

was apprenticed to the carriage-plating trade, in which he became a proficient 
workman. 

After a brief residence in Bcrksliire Coimty, Mass., and a sliort sojourn in 
Albany, \. \., he decided to come West, as central New York was called in 
those days, making the journey on a canal-packet to Syracuse. He stopped in 
that city, but the prospect was so uninviting that, hearing Skancateles was a 
famous carriage-making center, he came on to this village, arriving here in 
August, 1831, being then only twenty years of age. He ever after made his 
home here, being a resident of this place for more than sixty-seven years. There 
are very few residents of this village now living who were here at the time of 
his arrival. From 1831 to 1849 he followed liis trade as silver-plater, doing 
work for all the carriage manufacturers of the village during that time. 

In April, 1849, Mr. Dodge bought the Skancateles Democrat (established 
in 1840), and in 1853 absorbed the Skancateles Columbian (established in 1830). 
He personally continued the publication of the Democrat for over forty years, 
leasing the same, January 1, 1890, to Will T. Hall, who conducted the paper 
until his decease, May 31, 1897. Since July i following it has been published 
by M. A. Ackles. Mr. Dodge owned the Democrat at the time of his death, 
thus forming a connection with that paper of nearly fifty years as editor, publisher, 
and proprietor. 

Mr. Dodge was originally a Democrat, and published the Democrat on the 
lines of that party until after the breaking out of the rebellion, when he assumed 
an independent position, afterward becoming a Republican, and holding office 
under the Lincoln and first Grant administrations as Assistant L'nited States 
Internal Revenue Assessor from 1861 to 18^19. He became identified with the 
Liberal Republican movement in 1872, and in 1874 rejoined his old party, and 
for the remainder of his life was a staunch Democrat. 

During Mr. Dodge's management of the Democrat, he graduated fully two 
score or more printers, many of whom are now editing papers of their own. 
The writer of these lines was an apprentice in the Democrat office more than a 
quarter of a century ago. 

Mr. Dodge had held many town and municipal offices, being street com- 
missioner in the 40's and trustee in the 70's. In all of his public positions he did 
his work in a thorough and conscientious manner. 

In 1834 Mr. Dodge bought a lot on East Academy Street, and built a house 
thereon the same year. The locality was then considered on the outskirts of 
the village. He made his home on this spot for si.xty-four years. 

For the past nine years, since his retirement from active ncwspai)er manage- 
ment, Mr. Dodge had taken life easy, enjoying a hale, if not hearty, old age, 
exhibiting a lively interest in all topics of a general or local nature. He had a 
good memory, far better than most men of his age. He delighted in discussions 
■of the dates of historical events of national character and of local matters as 
■well. He was a frequent and almost daily visitor at some of the business places 



74 HISTORY Of SKANEATELES. 

in town and at both newspaper offices, retaining a warm interest in the printing 
business to the last. 

Mr. Dodge was three times married: first in 1834, to Miss Harriet Hannum : 
in 1844, to Miss Catherine Douglass, and in 1859 to Miss Ellen A. Wheaton, of 
Pompey, who survives him. He was the father of six children, three of whom 
died in infancy, and three of whom — two sons and a daughter — lived to man- 
hood and womanhood; but all are now dead: Rev. Harrison, died in 1877; Miss 
Kittie A., died in 1879; and Fred A., died in 1886. The latter left three children, 
one of whom, Harry A., is a member of Company C, Two Hundred and Third 
N. Y. v., now at Greenville, S. C. 

The funeral services were held at his late residence at 10.30 o'clock this 
forenoon, the ritual of the Episcopal Church being read by Rev. F. N. Westcott, 
the remains being interred in the family lot in Lake View Cemetery in this 
village. — Skaneateles Free Press. 

To Defeat the Skaneateles Water \\'orks Co>[paxv. — The following 
circular was mailed to the newspaper having the largest circulation of every 
county in the State of New York. Its purpose was to defeat the passage of the 
celebrated Malby bill then pending in the Legislature, which bill was inimical to 
the interests of every village in the State. 

Bills of this character had previously been introduced in the Legislature, 
and great pressure had been brought by the water works companies to have 
them passed and enacted into law. The following circular had the desired effect, 
after having been extensively copied throughout the State, and the bill was not 
passed. 

This circular is appropriately copied as incident to the history of the 
Skaneateles \\'ater Works Comixmy. and of its promoter, the American Pipe 
Manufacturing Company, of Xew Jersey: 

ALL VILL.\GES INTERESTED. 

A DANGEROUS niU. INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISL.\TURE. 

The following i.s a copy of the bill. The passage of this measure would seriously affect 

every village in the State. This circular is now sent to every County Seat in the State for 

the purpose of having the local press publish it in the interest of every municipality within 

each county to urge all villages to fight this bill to its death. 

There is a large sum of money behind this bill, which in ordinary Legislatures is inimical 

to the interests of the people : 

State of New York.— No. 565.— In Senate, February 13, 1896. 

Introduced by Mr. Malby— read twice, and ordered printed, and when printed to be com- 
mitted to the committee on miscellaneous corporations. 

.-\n Act to amend an act entitled " The general corporation law," constituting chapter 
thirty-five of the general law. 

The People of the State of \c~v York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enaet as 
fullozvs: 
Section i. Section eleven of chapter six hundred and eighty-.seven of the laws of 

eighteen hundred and rtinety-two, entitled " An act to amend the general corporation law," 



i^nsTORy or skaxe.itules. 75 

constituting chapter thirty-five of the general laws, is hereby amended by adding thereto a 
subdivision to be known as subdivision six, to be read as follows : 

6. Whenever rights, privileges or franchises have been or shall hereafter be granted 
to any corporation, or the exercise thereof by such corporation assented to by any municipal 
corporation, and the conditions or requirements of such grant have been complied with by 
the corporation receiving the same, the municipal corporation within whose limits such 
rights, privileges or franchises are exercised, sh.-ill not itself imdertake or perform any 
business or purpose of said corporation without first acquiring, in the manner prescribed 
by chapter twenty-three of the code of civil procedure, the rights, privileges and franchises 
granted to said corporation, and also the property of said corporation necessary for the use 
of said rights, privileges and franchises. 

§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately. 

The following protest, which is to be presented to the legislature, has been left at the 
postoffice in this village for the purpose of securing the signatures of all those who favor 
municipal ownership and municipal rights : — 

To the Honorable, the Legislature of the State of Sew York: 

We the undersigned citizens of the village of Skaneatelcs respectfully protest against 
the passage of a bill introduced by Senator Malby, in the Senate, Feb. 13, 1896. For the 
following reasons, to wit : 

The scheme of this bill is to compel every municipal corporation in the state, which has 
heretofore granted a franchise to a water works company, or indeed any other kind of a 
company, or to any person, firm or corporation, before they can exercise the same right or 
franchise to acquire the franchise in the given case by proceedings for condemnation. 

* This bill is extraordinarily sweeping m its provisions, and the object intended to be 
effected is made applicable to all municipal corporations alike. It is extraordinarily vicious 
in principle, for it delivers every municipal corporation in the state bound hand and foot, to 
any person, firm or corporation, to which any franchise has heretofore been granted, however 
incautiously or improperly. 

This bill has behind it the combined power of the water works companies and all other 
companies, firms and corporations, who have heretofore procured a municipal franchise of 
any description, not only this but the money influence of the various banks and institutions 
that have invested in the bonds of these companies. 

This village of Skancateles is now considering the subject of municipal ownership, 
either by the purchase of the plant of the foreign water works company here, or if satisfac- 
tory terms can not be effected, to put in an entire new water plant. 

' The Malby bill if passed, would be decidedly against the interest of this village, and 
not only this but many other villages, in the state similarly situated. 

Dated Skaneateles, N. Y., February 20, 1896. 

E. Norman Leslie, President of the Village. 

One nffcci of litis Circular. — The Syracuse Standard, which received one of 
the circulars, pulilishcd tlic following leafling editorial, Tcbruary 22. i8i/): 

" .\ GOOD DILL TO DEFEAT. 

" Senator Malby has a bill in committee at Albany which ought to receive its quietus the 
moment it gets before either branch of the legislature. It is described in its title as an 
amendment to the general corporation law, but its real purpose is to prevent municipal 
corporations, either villages or cities, from establishing water works or lighting .systems, 
without first extinguishing franchises covering the same rights that may be in existence. 
This is the text of the bill: [Unnecessary to repeat here.] 

" In most of the villages of New York .state foreign companies arc in possession of 
franchises for the furni-^hing of water. Gas and electric lighting has also iKcn furnished 
to scores of the smaller places by companies working with foreign capital. Senator Malhy's 
bill proposes to invest these concerns with perpetual pos-icssion of their respective fields, 
unless by purchase, at presumably their own figures, they are superseded and extinguished. 



76 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Municipal ownership of water works and lighting systems would be fatally retarded were the 
Malby bill to become a law. 

" Probably the proposition contained in this bill originated with banking institutions 
and private individuals who have invested in local bonds. Were the companies to be estab- 
lished in essential perpetuity these securities would be much more valuable than they are at 
present, but the justice of asking this guarantee of the legislature at the expense of the 
municipal corporations will have to be explained when the author of the bill supports it on 
the floor. In the meantime the villages of the state had better keep a sharp lookout for this 
little joker." 

Early Skaxeateles Real Estate Values Compared with Syracuse Real 
Property Values. — James Sackett during the early part of the nineteenth 
century was the owner of all the lands in this village south of the Seneca Turn- 
pike road and east of the outlet of the lake, on which are now the business 
stores of this village. He also owned many acres in the western portion of this 
village, including the present Fred. Shear property, on which Sackett had his 
residence, succeeding the John Briggs tavern. Sackett afterward removed to 
the village of Syracuse, where he invested largely in real estate. Soon after 
his assuming his residence there, he had as his family physician Dr. Mather 
Williams, who was one of the earliest physicians in Syracuse. Dr. Williams' 
services to Mr. Sackett's family ran over a number of years. His bill for 
services, which was not very extravagant in those early days, was finally settled 
by Dr. Williams receiving from his patient a tract of land out over James Street 
liill. It was then not very valuable, nor did it give promise of becoming one 
of the home districts of the village. Dr. Williams was a gentleman of the old 
school, suave and courteous, who always affected the latest mode of dress, and 
was never seen without the ruffled shirt-front and high-stock collar. 

That tract of land " over James Street hill,'' as the village grew and when 
the village became a city, was and now is a very valuable property. Other 
persons purchased land in what is now James Street at about the same period 
that James Sackett paid his doctor's bill with a tract of land. Lands in that 
location were purchased at the rate of eighteen dollars per acre, and three- 
quarters of a century ago lands in the vicinity of where Fayette Park is now 
sold for from six dollars to ten dollars and a half an acre. These lands are at 
the present time worth from one hundred to three hundred dollars per front foot. 
Syracuse at that period was in embryo, and was not thought of, not even as a 
village. In the year 1834, the land on which the Durston Memorial building 
now stands, in James Street, was owned by Daniel Kellogg, Esq., of Skaneateles, 
and two other gentlemen of Syracuse, and it i.'; now a very vahiahlc jiicce of 
property. 

Of course, the salt industry, and especially the construction of the l-"rio Canal, 
were the foundations of the prosperity of Syracuse. 

Why has Skaneateles Retrogr.\ded ? — Within twenty years of the early 
settlement of the village, the piece of land on the lake-shore, about half an acre 



HlSrORV OF SK.IXEATELES. 



77 



in extent, on which the boat-house of the late Julius Earll, Jr., is located, was 
sold by John Briggs to John Meeker for one thousand dollars. This is only an 
instance of the early value of lake-shore property. The lots on which the brick 
stores are now located were originally owned by James Sackett, and, being on 
tlie lake-shore, were probably sold by hint at proportionately advanced prices. 
That these lots were considered valuable is indicated by the construction of the 
heavy stone docks at the rear of the stores at a considerable expense. 

The First Ste.\mbo.\t o.\ the Lake. — The following is a copy of a handbill 
concerning the Highland Chief, and now in good preservation, in possession of 
E. X. Leslie. The Highland Chief was not built here, but was brought from 
the Hudson River by Captain Fowler by the way of the canal, and he had it 
trucked up to the lake with a large number of oxen. It was forty feet in length. 
Captain Fowler did not belong here, but came with his boat, which was a verv 
uncomfortable craft for pleasure parties, as it was liable to careen and upset. 

STEAM BOAT 

HIGHL.'W'D CHIEF, 
Win. FowLEK, Capt. 
Will leave Skaxe.\teles, at 8 o'clock, a. m. for Rossvn.LE, (at the head of the lake.) 
on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, of each week, and return same day. 

O.v Mo.vdavs, Wednc.-days and Fridays, of each week, it will be in readiness for parties 
of pleasure. 

t^ Fare to Rossville and back, $0.75. 
Skancateles, 3d August, 1831. 

An C)ld Log T.wf.r.n. — The only tavern in the town, in 1795, was located in 
wliat is now the village, and was situated where the present west corner of 
Main and State streets is. It was constructed of logs. Some years afterward, 
when better accommodations were needed, a frame addition was added on the 
west side, which was about sixty feet long, fronting on the turnpike road. It 
was two stories in height, and in after years additions were built for the ac- 
conunoflation of travelers' horses. This tavern was first kept by a Captain 
Welsh, who was also a militia captain. 

In 1820, no less than fifteen stage-coaches passed through the village daily. 
These stages carried the United States mail. 

Early Business in Skaxeateles. — Skaneateles very early became a well- 
known mart of trade, not only in this section of the State, but in all parts of 
the State west of .Albany. Its early merchants were enterprising, kept heavy 
stocks of merchandise on hand, and consequently had an extensive trade. 

Carriage and sleigh manufacturing in Skaneateles very early assumed an 
extensive business, which gave this manufacture a great reputation, not only 
throughout central \ew York west of .Mbany, but also throughout the Western 
States. The zenith of business here of all descriptions was in the year 1830. 

The later known artists, Elliott aiul Thayer, both learned the early rudiments 



-8 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

of their artistic work liere in the village. The carriage and sleigh manufacturers 
employed them in painting fancy designs on the high backs of expensive sleighs. 

Another Convev.\nce to Freeborn G. Jewett. — Winston Day and 
Thankful, his wife, to Freeborn G. Jewett: 

" Part of Lot No. 36, February 20, 1822. Bounded and described as follows: 
15eginning at the southeast corner of Skaneateles village lot number one, laid 
out at the north end of the Skaneateles Lake, said lots containing about one 
acre each, thence easterly along the north line of the old road leading east and 
west through the village of Skaneateles, and on the south line of lot number 
two one hundred feet to the southwest corner of village lot number three." 

Village Lot No. i was where the brick buildings are now west of Judge 
Marvin's residence. Village Lot No. 2 comprised the Marvin lot. Village Lot 
Xo. 3 was the next village lot east of Judge Marvin's, on which the savings- 
liank is now located. Further description of this land is given, but not necessary 
lo repeat here. The number of acres is not given in the deed, but the con- 
sideration was $2,500. According to the description given in the deed there 
must have been a considerable number of acres in this purchase. 

Condensed Fr.\gments of History. — Ebenezer Edwards traded here from 
t8oi to 1808. — 'Henry Mead and Factory Company traded here from 1826 to 
1831. — Isaac Selover, from 1801 to 1813. — Levi Stephens, 1815. — Sylvester Eells, 
]8i2. — Benjamin Leonard, 1812. — Aaron Taylor, 1800 to 1809. — Aloses Legg, 
1796 to 1801. — Mr. Keth, 1807. — Weeks & Bristol (Esquire Weeks and A. P. 
Bristol) dealt in ashes in 1802-4. — Eli Clark in his account-book wrote: "April 
29, 1816, Mr. Enock and family moved into my log house. November 4, 1815, 
Mr. Levi Swan came to my old house to live." — Walter Root, 181 1. — Asahe! 
Cook, 1804. — 'Joseph Davis, 181 1. — William Clift, 1807. — Deacon Joseph Root, 
1805. — John Brewer, 1812. — Ezra Stephens, 1812. — Eleazer Goodwin, 1810. — 
William White, 1816.— William B. Douglass, 1815. — Asa Kneeland, 1812.— 
Hccox & Tinkhani were manufacturing boots and shoes here in 1828. — Porter 
& Wolcott and Burnett & Rhoadcs were doing business here in 1828. — Mason 
iV' Earll were dealers in lumber in 1827. — R. C. &• (\ Hulbut were dealers in 
lumber in 1823. — Ingham, Booth & Champlin here in 1812. — 'Esquire Northam 
a Justice of the Peace here in 1814. — Benjamin Gumaer came here from Minisink. 
Orange County, in 1799. — John Legg's first blacksmith-shop was on the lake- 
shore, just south of where the Waller boat-house is now, when he first came here 
in 1804. He afterward sold out his shop to Sabins, a blacksmith. 

The Pettis House. — A family by the name of Pettis lived in a story-and-a- 
half house next east of the Charles J. Burnett dwelling, opposite the present 
St. James' Church, previously to the year 1804. John Legg occupied this house 
sul)scf|uently. After Legg, Henry Arnold, who was an own brother of Benedict 
.Vrnold, the traitor, of Revolutionary notoriety, came here from Canada, and 
lived in it. Ilenrs' Arnold afterward married a sister of John Ten Eyck's wife. 
Freeborn (1. jewett later resided in this house for a short time. 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 



CIlAl'TKR Ml. 

MlSCELLAXliOLi FRAGMENTS III- EaRLV HiSTORY. 

Caleb X. Potter was born at Pownal, \'t., and came to Skaneatcles \illage in 
1815, where he was engaged for several years in mechanical pursuits. In 1823 
he settled in Clintonville. where lie continued to reside until his death. July 25, 
1865, aged seventy-live years. 

Deacon David Hall died June 4, i8f>5, aged seventy-nine years. 

Elder Amasa Smith died at Elmira, January 20, 1865. 

Correl Humphrey died October 17, 1885. 

Peter Thompson and Joiin I'illings, both carpenters, constructed many of the 
prominent and l)cst dwelling-houses in the village and surrounding country during 
their time, one of which was the dwelling of James A. Root's present residence. 
This house was built for Nicholas Thome, who owned the property, .\nother 
was the dwelling now owned by Emerson Adams. It has been very difficult to 
obtain the names of early building mechanics of this village. Both of these 
carpenters were employed by Ambrose lleco.x in building his house, barns, an<l 
other outbuildings. 

Peter Thompson lived at an early day on a farm a few miles north of the 
village. 

Moses Loss, another carpenter, came to Skaneatcles in 1795. 

William Gibbs, an early merchant, in the year 1812 had a fulling-mill and 
carding-mill on the location now occu])ied by the Policy repair-shop, and owned 
by Miss Beauchanip. 

Cotton & Lewis, in 181 2, were millers in a frame mill which was Uxated on 
the present site of the stone mill. 

Jessee Kellogg (Dorastus Kcllogg's father) in 1803 built the tavern on the 
Obadiah Thome place. He afterward sold it to David How (.\maziah How's 
brother) four or five years afterward. Jessee Kellogg also built the dwelling- 
house under the large elm-tree, near the corner of Academy and Jordan streets. 
The dwelling-house on Main Street now owned by Miss Wheeler was formerly 
owned and occupied by the late John Snook. Previously this lot l)elonged to 
Phares Gould, on which was his brick store ami dwelling-house, in the year 1816. 

Daniel Talcott conducted the village furnace in 1826, at which time he live<! 
in the small one-story house next south of l^loag & Son's himt)er yard, on Jordan 
Street. .\t about that date he owned the Elias Thome farm on the West Lake 
Road, and built the two-story brick dwellinc-housc now known as the Captain 
M,.lIr,r,I r.-<i'l.>'.-- f,,rn,.rl\ tlv F.li.as Tiioriu- residence. 



8o HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

Jonathan Weston was the first settler in the village. He built a log house on 
the site of the C. H. Poor residence. 

Josiah Weston, the son of Jonathan, built a log house on the present site of 
Mrs. John Kellogg's wood house. 

Sylvester Roberts, an early blacksmith, lived in the Josiah Weston log house 
in the year 1803. 

Closes Loss, an early carpenter, who had been married a short time, lived in a 
log house immediately in front of Sylvester's log house. Both families were very 
mtimate. 

S. C. Wheaden & Co. were doing business in the village in 1826. 

Captain Elijah Rust was here in 1826. 

There was a blacksmith named Stringham iiere in 1826. 

The Miss Higby who tauglit school under the Episcopal church was related to 
Xehemiah Smith's wife. 

James Turnure was the miller who had the frame grist-mill in 1828, when it 
was destroyed by fire. Lewis, Cotton & Co. purchased the site, and erected a new 
frame mill afterward. Earll, Kellogg & Co. had the grist-mill in 1837. 

Ezra & Benjamin were in business here in 1812. Also Ingham & Hecox. 

Samuel Francis purchased his place on the shore of the lake from Cotton 
Denio. 

August 29, 1803, Jedediah Sanger sold to John Briggs fifty-seven acres, being 
part of Lot No. 36 ; consideration, $300. This land included the present cemetery 
and old burial-ground. 

March 5, 1805, John Briggs, and Roxy, his wife, sold to Winston Day part of 
Lot No. 36, beginning at the southwest corner of the store now occupied by Piatt 
Wikes, thence forty-two feet along said store to the land of Warren Hecox, etc. ; 
consideration, $400. Winston Day at that date (1805) was in partnership with 
Isaac Sherwood. 

Rev. Isaac Ravvson, minister, was hired by the year to preach in the old 
schoolhouse on the hill, before it was destroyed by fire in 1807. He was origi- 
nally a Freemason, but afterward became an Antimason. 

Nathaniel Swift, who succeeded Rawson, was the first settled minister. 

Columbus Weston had a blacksmith-shop on the corner of Hamilton Turnpike 
and Cross Street in 1836. 

William J. Vredenburg first came to this town in 1797. He then owned many 
military lots in various townships. The records of the County Clerk's office 
show that his first purchases of military lands was in the year 1790, at which 
time he was a merchant in the city of New York. 

A Mr. Camp kept tavern here in 1816. 

Chester Tolles, who originally owned the Bradford farm on the east side of the 
lake, built and owned a wood boat on the lake here in 1812 or after that date. 

In 1806 Winston Day had completed his dwelling-house and was living in it. 
This was a frame two-storv house. A one-storv wins: was afterward built on 



HISTORY ur .-./v.iA /:.i y /;L/^^. 81 

the west side. Tlie jjreat rire ol 1835, o" t'^c opposite side of the street, one 
hundred feet distant, was so hot that the front door was blistered by tlie fire. 

The late Thaddeus Edwards stated that the tavern which John Briggs built, 
on the site now owned by IVed Shear, was completely finished and occupied in 
1806. 

Isaas Sherwood in 1806 lived in a story-and-a-half house next west of Col. 
Warren Heco.x's house, across the highway. The Isaac Sherwood tavern was 
built for him by a carpenter named Wicks. This tavern was located where the 
Packwood House is now. 

Col. Warren Hecox was a tanner and shoemaker, and manufactured boots 
and shoes. He learned his trade of David Seymour, on the west side of the lake. 
Shoemaking at that period was an important business, as much so as keeping a 
store. This, together with the tanning business, in both of which Colonel Hecox 
was engaged, was one of the original industries of the town. 

John Legg first came to this town in 1802. 

P. Fish, of New York, owned a farm on the east side of the lake in 1835. 
He placed John Middleton on it, more as a matter of charity than otherwise. 
John Middleton not knowing anything about farming, and being more of a 
politician than otherwise, spent nearly all his time in the village, and got into debt, 
as a matter of course. Finally the owner of the farm sent a power of attorney to 
Captain De Cost, who was an old friend of i'. Fish, to sell the farm, after which 
John Middleton with his family went back to New York. 

Esquire Sherwood was here in 1814. He had a lime-kiln and soiil lime. 

William J. Vredenburg first resided in this town in 1803. He was a Judge of 
Onondaga County in 1804-5 ''"^ iSo), and was Member of .Assembly in 1805 
and 1806. 

Col. Warren Hecox was a Judge of Onondaga County in 1818. 

Xehemiah H. Earll was a Judge of Onondaga County in 18.23, and was First 
Judge in 1828. He was also a member of the Twenty-sixth Congress. 

Thomas Jones was here in the village from 1805 to 1810. He was an 
excellent penman, as has been shown by the account-books kept by him. 

Joseph Root came here with his son, Henry, in 1804. 

Elijah Parsons arrived here from Massachusetts in 1805, and died < Kiober 25, 
1862, at the age of eighty-three years. 

Col. Warren Hecox was long encaged in tanning antl shoemaking in the 
village, and became a leading citizen. His tannery was burned February 20, 1848. 

Laf.wette Clddeb.vck. — We here insert a copy of a letter from I-afayctte 
Cuddeback, a grandson of .Abraham .\. Cuddeback, the first settler here: 

" My grandmother, wife of .Xbraham .\. Cuddeback, was a De Witt, .1 
daughter of J. R. He Witt, of Minisink. Orange County. .\. Y.. who had two 
sons aufl seven daughters. The eldest daughter married William Raso, who 
settled near Lodi, Syracuse. Rachel married RoIktI Burnett, father of Nfoses 
Burnett, of Syracuse. Margaret, and Jane. Peter and .Abraham Cuddeback 



82 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

married two sisters. Hannah married James Annis (one of the former owners of 
what is now known as the Lapham place). Peter settled where Porter Cudde- 
back now lives. The three sisters leased that section from their brother, Moses 
De Witt, who surveyed the military lots in the }ears 1787 to 1788. He died in 
1790. 

" My grandmother had a sister that married James De Puy, who settled where 
Jamesville now is, in the spring of 1792. Also one other sister that married 
James Coleman, who hired a half section near where Onondaga Hill is now 
located. 

" This was all on land hired from their brother, Moses De Witt. .My grand- 
father came in the spring of 1794 to his brother-in-law at Onondaga Hill, where 
he left his wife and five children. He then went to Skaneateles, about June i. 
with his two eldest children, a girl of fourteen years and a son of twelve years. 

" I have heard my grandmother say many times that the nearest settler was 
at Onondaga Hill. When my grandfather got to Skaneateles, he camped near 
what has since been known as the Furman Brook, where there were a spring of 
water and three Indian wigwams. On the bank of the lake there he constructed 
a raft of logs, and after completing it satisfactorily put on his two-wheeled wagon 
and other things, and poled the raft along the shore to what is now known as the 
Dr. Hurd place. His two children then drove the cattle and a colt through the 
woods to the same locality. There was no settler then at Skaneateles until the 
following autumn. 

" The seven sisters of J. R. De Witt hired something like 30.000 acres in 
western New York from tlieir brother. I think they procured their lease from 
Simeon De Witt, but Moses De Witt did the work, as he was entitled to fifty 
acres for every section he surveyed. You (E. N. Leslie) wrote of the two grave- 
stones, now in the village burial-ground, of Abraham Cuddeback and his wife. 
They came from Minisink, in the spring of 1795, with Peter Cuddeback and 
James Ennis. Abraham Cuddeback and his wife died within two years of each 
other, as stated on the gravestone. They were originally buried on the farm, and 
the remains were afterward removed to their present location. This gravestone- 
was erected about 1830. 

" I have always understood from my grandmother that her husband (my 
grandfather) was the first settler in the town of Skaneateles." 

The Leon.vrd F.\mily. — Nathan Leonard was the original settler mi the 
Joab Clift fari'i. The Leonards caine from Shaftsbury, Vt., in 1795. Nathan 
Leonard brought with him from Verinont eight children : Joseph, Nathan, Benja- 
min, Luther, Calvin, Ezra (Cutler), Azenath, and Polly or Afary. N'athan 
Leonard, the father, died October 10, 1813. He purchased the farm land in 1795. 
which was .sold as a " Government claim." He built a log house, and with his 
family lived in it for three }ears, after which he built the present Joab Clift 
house in 1708, which was originally occupied as a public inn. The old signboard 
of this inn has been preserved by the fatnily, and is now in the attic. It reads as 



HISTORy I// .^.'s.iMi.lTELES. S3 

follows, ■■ Nathan Lku.nakus I.n.n," which was regularly opened for the weary 
traveler in 1798. 

Ezra Leonard, son of Xathan, was the father of Mrs. Joab Clift. Ezra 
succeeded his father in the ownership of tlie farm. He lived on il tifly-three 
years, and died April 13, 1850. 

Xoniian Leonard, one of Skaneateles' early merchants, was the son of Joseph 
M. Leonard, brother of Xathan first, who lived about half a mile south of Clift 's 
Corners, on same place where Samuel iJobbett now lives. Joseph ^L built the 
Bobbitt house. 

Charles Leonard was a grandson of Joseph ^L and second cousin of Mrs. 
Joab Clift. Mrs. Clift has lived in the old homestead all her life, nearly seventy- 
nine years. 

Ezra Lemiard made a request that the old homestead should always be kept 
in the family. It has been so kept, and the Leonards have lived on it since it 
was purchased in 1795 — one hundred and five years! Ezra did not come from 
Shaftsbury at first with his father, but came in 1797. 

The First Actual SiiTTLiiR in this Countv. — It is stated that, in the 
spring of 1788, Comfort Tyler, at the age of twenty-three years, in company with 
Major Asa Danforth, pushed into the wilderness fifty miles beyond any white 
settlement, and commenced the permanent settlement of Onondaga Coimiv. 
This was nearly a year before the treaty was held, on the bank of the Seneca 
Lake, between Oliver Phelps and the Indians. Oliver Phelps opened the first 
land office in America, at Canandaigua, in 1789. 

The First Mail thkolgh Ono.\d.u;a Colntv. — The first I'niteil States 
mail was carried through this count} by a Mr. Langtlon, from W'hiiestuwn to 
Geneva, on horseback, in 1792-98, and distributed newspapers ami unsealed 
letters by the way, before intermediate offices were established. .A Mr. Luca.s 
succeeded Langdon in the transportation of the mail, which in 1800 had become 
so heavy as to require a wagon to transport it. Mr. Lucas established a two- 
horse passenger-wagon for the conveyance of passengers and the mail, and did a 
profitable business. The first four-horse mail-coach was sent throutrh once ,i 
week by Jason Parker in 1803, and in 1804 commenced running regularly from 
Utica to Canandaigua twice a week, carrying the L'nited States mail and pas- 
sengers. 

In 1804 an act was passed granting to Jason Parker and Levi Stephens the 
exclusive right, for seven years, of running a line of stages for the conveyance of 
passengers, at least twice a week, along the Genesee Road, or Genesee Turnpike, 
between the villages of I'tica and Canandaigua. They were bound to furnish four 
good and stdistantial covered wagons or sleighs, and .sufficient horses to rim the 
same. The fare was not to exceed five cents jier mile for each passenger, with 
fourteen pounds of baggage. They were bound by law to nm through in forty- 
eight hours, accidents excepted, and not more than seven passenirers were allowed 
in any one carriage, except by the unanimous consent of the said seven passen- 



84 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

gers ; and, if four passengers above the seven applied lor passage, they were 
bound to immediately fit out and start an extra for their accommodation ; or any 
number less than four should be accommodated by paying the fare of four. 

In 1808 a daily line was established, and afterward several others, which were 
continued until the completion of the Syracuse and Utica Railroad. 

Old-Time Servants. — As early as 181 5 there had been no negroes brought 
into this part of the State. Mr. V^redenburg brought from New York a black 
wench as cook. The children were all afraid of her, and ran as soon as she made 
her appearance in the street. 

There were, however, two native-born negroes, who belonged to either Mr. 
Booth's or Mr. Furman's family. Their names were Jack and Kate. They were 
born about 1812, and were slaves. These slaves became free under a law after- 
ward passed by this State. 

An Irishman was a curiosity in those days. There were no Irish women. 
The hired help were all natives, who were glad to hire out at seventy-five cents 
per week, which was considered big wages. The conditions for prime help were 
that, in addition to the ordinary house-work, they would agree to spin twenty 
knots and do the milking night and morning. But hired help were then treated 
as equals in the family. The Vredenburg family, being more aristocratic, wanted 
servants who were not treated as equals, and such could not be found about here, 
consequently they had to import all their help from New York. 

Farmers' Daughters. — The farmers' daughters would come into town for 
the winter and engage to do chores for their board, for the sake of attending 
school. They would get up before daylight, get breakfast for the family, and 
do all the necessary work, including washing the dishes, before school-time. On 
^Mondays they would stay at home half a day to assist in the family washing, and 
during evenings through the week would do up the ironing. 

Daniel Kellogg's Gardener. — The gardener of Daniel Kellogg was an 
Englishman, and celebrated for his early vegetables, which were forced under 
glass. lie was the only one who raised early stock, and his garden was the resort 
of all who were curious in such matters. 

DESCRirxiON OF Skane.\teles Village in 1809. — " The following description 
is appended as a note to the dedication sermon preached by Rev. David Higgins, 
March i, i8of;. entitled ' A Sermon delivered at Marcel.lus, N. Y., at the Dedica- 
tion of a House for Public Worship in Skaneateles Village.' A copy of this 
sermon was printed in pam|)hlet form by the trustees of the Skaneateles Religious 
Society. It was printed at IManlius by Leonard Kellogg, and it is now in posses- 
sion of the Presbyterian Society. 

" The flourishing village of Skaneateles, consisting of nearly one hundred 
buildings of different kinds, is situated at the foot of the lake of the same name. 
The lake is about fifteen miles in length and from half a mile to nearly two miles 
in width. The waters in the body of the lake are raised above their natural level 
about three or four feet bv a dam which is built across the outlet. Bv this means 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 85 

a lumibcr of mills of dilYcrent kinds are kept in operation during the whole season, 
even the driest svunmers. The settlements in this village commenced in March, 
1796. A number of the buildings are elegant, and it has become a place of 
considerable business. Passing eastward on the great western thoroughfare, you 
leave the bridge over the outlet and ascend on a gentle rise for half a mile till you 
come to the eminence, where the eye is presented \sith one of the most pleasing 
prospects in the western country. The view is handsomely variegated with 
cultivated farms, forests, and lake waters. Here is placed an elegant Congre- 
gational meeting-house, built of wood. The plan of the building displays good 
taste; the materials are of the best kind; the workmanship exhibits neatness and 
beauty. The country around is handsome and fertile, generally owned and 
cultivated by wealthy farmers. These with the villagers compose the SkaiicatcU-s 
Religious Society, which was incorporated October 29, 1801. 

" The church in Skaneateles was organized with the name and style ' The 
First Congregational Church of Marcellus,' July 20, 1801, by the Rev. .\aroii 
Bascom. 

" The change from Congregationalism to I'resbyterian took place on January 
10, 1818. The members of the First Congregational Church in Marcellus met, 
and resolved to adopt the form of government and discipline of the Presbyterian 
Church in the United States as that according to which we will henceforth be 
governed. Bexj.v.min B. Stockton, Moderator." 

The First Exciteme.nt. — The first excitement among the early settlers was 
when the mill-dam broke away, about the early part of the nineteenth century. 
This occurred during a Saturday night, and <jn tht Sunday morning following 
the people became much excited, as the breach deprived them of the facilities of 
the grist-mill. The news spread rapidly throughout the settlement. The mis- 
sionary (supposed to be Rev. Isaac Rawson), who was employed by the year to 
preach in the old schoolhouse on the hill, where the meeting-house was afterward 
erected, learning of the catastrophe, sent a Iwy to the place of meeting, directing 
him to inform the assembled congregation to adjourn and assist t(.i repair the mill- 
dam, as it was more important for them to have bread than to hear him preach. 
This brought a crowd of assistants, who worked lustily under the direction of the 
minister, and the work was thoroughly completed l)cfore sunrlown. 

.\ Forest. — The lake-shore, in i-y6, where the brick stores now stand, was 
then a grove of forest trees. Stumps of trees peered from the water for .some 
considerable distance out in the lake. 

\'ii.LAGE Pi-ots. — The original village lots were probably laid out by Judge 
Sanger. .\s a general rule they were one hundred feet front and twenty rods in 
depth. The Thayer lot was \'iilage Lot No. r.. It was first conveyed by Sanger 
to Seth ^^cKay, January iT.. i8<ji : consideration, $5. July 21. i8<i.'. Seth McKay 
conveyed it to Norman Leonard; consideration. $200. Norman Leonard after- 
ward sold it to John Legg. Sanger sold \'illagc Lot No. 11 to Joseph Pcarcc. 
house carpenter, for $20. Warren Hccox purchased a one-acre lot on tlie west 



86 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

side of the outlet of the lake from Sanger. October 12, 1801 ; consideration, $10. 
Deed witnessed by Asa Hatch and Samuel Porter. These lots as laid out were 
termed " village plots on the north end of Skaneateles Lake." 

Order for Bricks in 1814. — We present the following copy of an order for 
bricks in 1814: 

" Mr. Samuel Briggs. 
Sir. 

Please send lis by Luther Simonds 500 Bricks for which you shall have the 
money in the Month of March. 

Skane.-\tei,es, February 28. 1814. C. A. Leon.\rd." 

Tuition Paid. — John C. Noble was a school-teacher in Skaneateles. The 
following memorandum was made by Eli Clark : 

"April 4, 1825. Reckoned with John C. Noble, and found due him for tuition, in full, 
one dollar eighty-nine cents." 

The Origin.\l Forests in this Town.— The forests which the fanners have 
subdued during the past century were originally dense, and the timber was very 
heavy. Many tracts of white pine grew in this town, the stumps of which, on 
account of their resinous properties, last for an indefinite time in the soil. The 
disadvantage, however, in clearing the land is compensated for in another direc- 
tion. The soil of the pine lands is usually so light and porous on the surface that 
the stumps may be lifted out of their beds in a perfectly sound condition by means 
of a stumping-machine. These stumps then became available for line fences, and 
even to this day such fences are to be seen in some parts of the town. 

White cedar is found in various parts of this town, especially in the swamps 
and low grounds. Hemlock has been very plenty in all parts of the town. This 
valuable timber has been extensively used for building, fencing, and in the con- 
struction of plank-roads. Basswood, two varieties of maple (the sugar and the 
swamp), beech, whitewood,'and elm have been the principal varieties in this tow-n. 
Originally there were red oak-trees growing at the lower end of the lake, before 
the waters were raised by the original dam on the outlet. Locust-trees have been 
used for ornamental use around the farmers' dwellings, but these, like the Lom- 
bardy poplar, have been brought from a distance and planted, but both these 
varieties which remain have become unsightly and diseased. 

The progress of improvement has swept away about all of the original forests, 
particularly in this town. There was a large demand primarily for steam railroad 
use before coal was u.sed for such purpose, and for the use of distilleries and for 
])otash-boiling. Potash-boiling was the only original industry in this town. The 
use of firewood has almost entirely ceased, as farmers can purchase coal at less 
than firewood costs to cut and transport for sale. 

The hemlock and the sugar-maple have been the most useful timber for this 
town. The hemlock was generally used for building purposes, and its bark for 
tanning purpo.<;es and carriage manufacturing. The bark was extensively used for 



HISTORY OF SKASEATELES. 87 

the setting of tires of wheels, as its heat is more intense than any other fuel. The 
sugar-maple was the most desirable for firewood, and for the production of maple 
sugar and syrup, which have always been a remunerative source of profit to the 
farmers. 

riure have been some native varieties of spruce exhibited at our town fair>, 
but they are not original productions, one of them being the Norway variety. 
The hickory has been found in some sections of the town, but not to any great 
extent. The chestnut is found in many sections of the town, and has proved an 
excellent fencing material. The original apple orchards are nearly extinct, but. 
properly taken care of, they are one of the most profitable crops the farmer can 
raise. 

Ko.ADS. — The first road attempted to be made through this part of the State 
was in 1790, by a party of emigrants, under the direction of the late General 
Wadsworth, from the settlement at Whiiestown, Oneida County, to Canandaigua, 
through a country then very little explored and entirely a wilderness, in which 
was the town of .Marcellus, now Skaneateles. After this the old State Road was 
cut through, enlarging and following the one cut by the emigrants. The road 
running through the business portion of this village was a portion of the old 
State Road. Then, as the country was wholly shaded by dense forests, there was 
commonly snow enough for good sleighing through the winter months. Most 
of the settlements along this road from Utica to Canandaigua. began to attain 
some consequence as early as the year 1800. Previously to the laying out of this 
road, which was somewhat improved by sundry appropriations from the State, 
the Western settlers moved on pack-horses along the Indian paths through the 
forests. 

In 1793. John L. Hardenburgh, Moses De Witt, and John Patterson were 
appointed a board of commissioners for laying out and making public roads on the 
Militan.- Tract. The roads were to be laid out four rods wide, and the sum of two 
thousand seven hundred dollars was appropriated by the State for that purpose. 

-Another board of commissioners was apjwiinted by act of the Legislature in 
T704 for the ])urpose of laying out and improving a public highway from old Fort 
Schuvler. now Utica, on the Mohawk River to Cayuga Ferry, as nearly straight as 
the situation of the country would allow. The road to be six rods wide, and the 
sum of six hundred pounds was ap])ropriated for the expenses of opening and 
improving so much of the road as passed through the Military Tract. 

In 1796. the Surveyor-General was authorized to sell certain lands on the 
Indian Reservation, and from the proceeds of the sales appropriate five hundred 
pounds for improving the Great Genesee Road through the county of Onondaga. 

In \~*)0. commissioners were appointed to make and repair the highways in 
the county of Onondaga. Four thousand dollars was appropriated by the State 
fur that purpose. an<l two thousand dollars was directed to be exjiended in the 
improvement of the Great Genesee Road, from the eastern to the wistern iMnmdary 
of the county. 



88 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

In 1797, the Legislature of the State authorized three lotteries for the purpose 
of raising forty-five thousand dollars for the further improvement of roads. 
Thirteen thousand nine hundred dollars of this was appropriated for opening and 
improving the Great Genesee Road in all its extent from Fort Schuyler to Geneva. 

In 1800, the Seneca Road Company was chartered for the purpose of im- 
proving the old State Road from Utica to Canandaigua. A board of commis- 
sioners was appointed to survey and lay out this road, of which Jedediah Sanger 
was a member. The capital stock was one hundred and ten thousand dollars ; 
shares, fifty dollars each. The charter was amended in 1801, and the commission- 
ers were privileged to deviate from the old road, and did so in some instances. 
All the roads named above ran through the town of Skaneateles. 

The " Skaneateles and Hamilton Turnpike " was then called the " Bowen 
Road," because it ran to the log houses of the two brothers Elijah and Benajah 
Bowen, one of whom lived on the C. C. Wyckoff farm, and the other lived on the 
farm next east to the Rickard farm. These two brothers were the first settlers on 
that " Bowen Road." 

In 1800 or 1801, A. Wilkinson's father came here. William Dascomb removed 
to the William Clark place. Dascomb built a log house on the flat. Wilkinson 
built a log house on the flat east of the present Wilkinson house. 

The next early settler on the East Lake Road to where Mr. Lee lived was 
Ebenezer Pardee, whose log house was on the site of the Brainerd farm. Sebe 
Brainerd then lived next to the Brainerd farm. In Thaddeus Edwards' earliest 
recollection, there was a house on the Reuel Smith place (David Seymour), and 
on the Elias Thorne place was another house, occupied by Seymour's son. 

Jacobus Ennis' wife was the daughter of Simeon De Witt, Surveyor-General 
of the State of New York. 

The First Gravevard.^ — The first graveyard, previously to 1803, was where 
the Vredenburg mansion was built. It had about twelve to sixteen graves, which 
were without any headstones. After Mr. Vredenburg had purchased the prop- 
erty, the remains were taken up and removed to the burial-ground belonging to 
" The Skaneateles Religious Society." 

Skaneateles the most Attractive Tr.\ding-Place early in the Nine- 
teenth Century. — By great perseverance the author obtained five early ledgers 
and two day-books, dating from the year 1800 to 1828, which had been kept by 
as many early business men here at Skaneateles. 

An alphabetical list of over twelve hundred names of persons who made their 
purchases here has been made, but owing to its great length it has not been 
printed in this volume. Those who made their purchases here were residents 
williin a circle of more than one hundred miles from this center. Many came 
here for legal advice; others came for medical advice and treatment, aside from 
doing their trading; others came for political discussion and for general consulta- 
tions of a public nature ; and on general training-day, the women and children 
all came. At first there were no roads for niany years. The people used to 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 89 

follow tlie Indian trails and marked trees, on foot and on horseback, or on a rude 
home-made vehicle drawn by oxen. 

Subscription List. — The following is a copy of a list of moneys subscribed 
for a sexton in 1824: 

SiBSCRiPTioN List for Jonatha.v Weston, Sexton of the Meeti.ng Holse 

OF THE SkANE-ATELES ReLIGIOVS SOCIETY, DaTED DeC. 10, I824. 

Aaron Austin One dollar 50 ci-iiis 

Samuel Porter One dollar 

Thaddeus Edwards 2 dollar 25 cents 

Phares Gould one dollar' 

Philo Dibble one dollar 

Daniel Kellogg 2 dollars 

Samuel Rhoadcs I dollar 

William Thomas one dollar 

Abraham Cuddeback one dollar 

James Porter one dollar 

Freborne Jewett one dollar 

Spencer Parsons one dollar 

Joseph Rhoades one dollar 

Joseph Leonard 50 cents 

Jonathan Hatch 50 cents 

Abner Edwards 3 dollars 75 cents 

Mrs. Olive Leonard 75 cents 

Charles Pardy Fifteen and a lialf cents 

Ambrose Heacox $1.25 

James Hall one 'dollar 

Thomas Greeves one dollar 

Daniel Burroughs 50 cents 

Thomas W. .Allis 50 cents 

TuE Old Colored M.vx's Pl.mxt. — An Incident in the Experience of William 
/. Vredenbnrg. — In January, 1793, Rev. Dan Bradley was dismissed from the 
pastoral charge of the church in Whitestown, at New Hartford, and on the Ath of 
September following removed with his family to the town of Marccllus, at the 
age of twenty-nine. The country was then comparatively a wilderness. He 
entered at once into the business of farming with zeal and ciieerfulness, and soon 
became noted for tlic purity of his taste and success in liis undertakings, setting a 
beautiful example to those around liim that education and refinement of mind 
were essential attributes to happiness and prosperity. He was appointed a Judge 
of Onondaga County in 1801, and by his display of legal knowledge .soon l)ccamo 
somewhat distinguished as a jurist. In 1808, he was apijointed First Judge of the 
county, which office lie held with .some degree of distinction till the time of liis 
resignation in 1813, when he was succeeded by Joshua Forman. He was .some- 
what remarkable for his reatly classic iiumor, and on many occasions displayed 
it, much to the amusement and gratification of his friends. .\t one time, during 
his official capacity as Judge, a certain colored man named Hank P.lakeman occu- 
pied, on the Oswego River, just alwvc Oswego Falls, a commodious place for 
landing, and it was also a convenient crossing-place. For the privilege of landing 
on his dock the coloreil man exacted a small fee. This was thought rather 
oppressive by some of his neighliors, and they summoned the Road Commis- 



90 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

sioners of the town, who laid out a road in such manner as considerably to abridge 
his privileges. He, feeling himself aggrieved, appealed to the Judges of Common 
Pleas, who, upon a proper representation of the facts, took the matter into con- 
sideration. A day was set for an investigation of the matter, and Judges 
Humphreys, Bradley, and Vredenburg (William J. Vredenburg, of Skaneateles) 
went down, accompanied by the late Judge Moseley, then a student with Judge 
Forman at Onondaga, who appeared as an advocate of the aggrieved party's 
rights. In those days the roads were almost impassable in that region, and the 
party made arrangements to go down in a boat from Salina. A suitable store of 
provisions and other necessaries was laid in for the occasion, and the party set off 
in high spirits, anticipating a delightful trip. The day was propitious. They 
glided down the river beautifully, and it required but little exertion to make the 
desired progress. While passing under the shady oaks and elms which crowned 
the margin of the river. Judge Bradley languishingly remarked how pleasant was 
their journey, and quoted the first verse of Virgil's Georgics, 

" Tityre, tu, patiil,T recubans sub tegmine fagi." etc. 

On they went, enjoying the scenery beyond measure. They examined the case in 
hand, and finally reversed the acts of the Commissioners, restoring to the injured 
party his rights in full, very much to his satisfaction, who was so much rejoiced 
that he voluntarily gave as a fee to his young lawyer five silver dollars, which 
Judge Moseley has since declared was his first and richest fee, and gave him more 
pleasure than any other received in his life. Business done, they turned their 
faces toward home. But with the fatigues of the day, and the opposing current 
of the river, their progress was in the beginning rather slow. However, by dint 
of perseverance and hard labor, they made respectable progress. It was work 
indeed, and to add to their embarrassment night was at hand. The mosquitos, 
gnats, flies, and bullfrogs gave them no peace, and some of the party began to 
murmur. In this state of affairs Judge Bradley was called upon to reverse his 
sentiment received with so much eclat in the morning, whereupon he readily 
replied : 

" Facilis descensus Averni : 

Sed rcvocarc grandum, superasqiie evadere ad auras. 

Hoc opus, hie labor est." 

These words, in the language of a familiar poet, may be rendered : 

" Easy the fall to Pluto's dreary den. 
But liard the scrabble to get back again." 

The flagging spirits of the jiariy were revived by this sally, and the rest of the 

voyage was performed, if not with wished-for speed, with greater cheerfulness. 

HoME-M.ADE Drays. — The early settlers, when it was necessary to go to Scipio 

and other distant settlements, had to make their own dravs. These drays were 



HISTORV OF SKAXE.-ITELES. 9' 

made vi the crotches of trees, liewed out, and boards placed across. 1 en husliels 
of wheat was considered a pretty larpe load to drag along over the rough roads, 
twenty or thirty miles, on such a rude vehicle, with one yoke of oxen. 

Thf. H.\.miltox .\.\d SK.x.NE.MELtis TuR-Ni-iKic. — The Hamilton and Skan- 
iieles Tunipike was laid out, in 1806, from Richfield, through Brookfield, Haniil- 
loii, and Fabius, to the outlet of C)tisco Lake, and thence to the outlet of Skan- 
eateles Lake. Thaddeus Edwards and Elnathan .\ndre\vs, of this town, were 
two of the principal movers in procuring the passage of the act of incorjxjration 
and obtaining shareholders, and in getting the road laid out, worked, and finished. 
East Genesee Street in the village was the western terminus of this turnpike. A 
portion of this road within the village was a corduroy road, the logs of which, 
forty years ago, two feet below the surface of the street, were about eighteen 
inches in diameter, and in as sound a condition as when first laid. 

\\'iieel-He.ad M.\NiF.\cTORY. — .At Mottville, Putnam, Porter & Leonard built 
a wheel-head manufactory soon after 1816, and in 1831 this firm was succeeded 
by S. C. \\'headon, Erastus Nye, and George 1'. Adams. 

MiLiTi.v. — .After the War of 1812, considerable attention was given to the 
training of the local militia, every male citizen between the ages of eighteen and 
forty-five being obliged to report for duty annually. " General Training " days 
became memorable occasions, especially to the younger element, who devoured 
cider and gingerbread as greedily as they participated in the military maneuvers. 
This military district eventually comprised the One Hundred and Fifty-ninth 
Regiment, of which Samuel C. W'headon was the Colonel. In 1831^. he was 
made Brigadier-General, and .Augustus Fowler was appointed to the colonelcy. 
Peter Pell was long the prominent drummer. 

Elections in 1836. — Josias Garlock was a tavern-keeper in Mandana as early 
as 1835. and in his tavern, and at the taverns of W. }\. .Marshon, at Mottville, and 
Isaac \V. Perry, in Skaneateles, elections were held in i83r>, one day in each 
successively. 

Ezra Lee. — Ezra Lee was the son of the Mr. Lee who has heretofore been 
mentioned as having purchased one hundred acres of Lot Xo. 38. The Ezra Lee 
here named built a scow wotxl boat, which was placed on the lake about the year 
1800. It was afterward transported either to Lake Ontario or Lake Erie. Chester 
Tolles built a wood boat for lake use about 1818. 

William Ci.ift. — William Clift arrived from Vermont with his father, in 
March, 17(^5, and settled at what has since been known as " Clift's Comers." He 
died in iSTii. His house was kept as a tavern for nearly sixty years. It was 
destroyed by fire in May, 1883. 

James Porter. — James Porter came here in 1797, and erected and opened the 
first tavern in town, the timlwrs of which probably constituted the first raft of the 
kind that ever floated upon the lake. 

The Eari.v Records. — The early settlers came into tins town by the Indian 
trail, or bv the old Genesee Road, which was opened soon after the first arrivals. 



92 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Suffering from the hardships and privations incident to a new country, and 
especially from the miasmatic conditions of the low, unbroken lands, they bore 
the many trials of frontier life with fortitude. \\'olves, bears, and other wild 
animals were troublesome. 

As the present town of Skaneateles formed a part of the town of r^Iarcellus 
previously to the year 1830, it is well to state that the public records of the town 
of Marcellus were destroyed by fire about 1829-30. All the records dating before 
1830 were thus lost. 

It has since been learned that William Stephens was Supervisor of Marcellus 
in 1794, 1795, and 1796, Samuel Tyler in 1797, and Winston Day in 1798. 

In the history of the town of Marcellus it is stated that slavery existed here 
during the first quarter of the nineteenth century. All slaves, however, were soon 
afterward freed by law. 

During the first three decades of settlement, quantities of timber were burned 
and the ashes converted into " black salts," or potash, which formed an important 
source of revenue. 

The Old-Time Caterpillars in 1798. — Clark's " History of Onondaga 
County" states that in 1798 this valley (Pompey) was visited by myriads of 
caterpillars, which totally stripped the forests of their foliage and attacked the 
smaller vegetables with great voracity, doing considerable damage to the tender 
corn. They, however, disappeared in the month of June, vegetation revived, 
and the crops were plenteous. 

These insects were so numerous that they congregated in heaps on the eaves 
and chimneys of the houses at evening, and when the fires were kindled in the 
morning they were very troublesome, often spinning down the stick chimneys 
into the cookery, and when their day was over, in such quantities had they accu- 
mulated, the atmosphere was completely tainted with their decaying remains. 

The Cold Summer in 1816. — This was a very remarkable year in all respects. 
The month of January was unusually mild, so much so as to render fires almost 
needless for warming purposes. December previous was very cold. February 
was not very cold; with the exception of a few days it was mild like its prede- 
cessor. March was cold and boisterous during the first part of it. but the remain- 
der was mild. April began warm, but grew colder as the month advanced, and 
ended in snow and ice, with a temperature more like winter than spring. May 
was more remarkable for frowns than smiles ; buds and flowers were frozen ; ice 
was half an inch thick. June was the coldest ever known in this latitude; frost, 
ice, and snow prevailed during the whole month; almost every green thing was 
killed ; thp early fruit blossoms were all blasted. July was accompanied with 
frost, and ice of the thickness of common window-glass formed on the 5th. 
Indian corn was nearly all destroyed ; some favorably situated fields escaped utter 
destruction. August was more cheerless, if possible, than the summer months 
already passed. Ice was formed early, half an inch thick, and the corn which had 
previously escaped was so frozen that the greater part was cut down and dried 



HISTORY or SK.IXE.ITELES. 93 

for fodder. September furnished aWut two weeks of the mildest weatlier of tlic 
season. Soon after the middle of the month it became very cold and frosty, and 
ice a quarter of an inch thick formed. October produced more than its share of 
cold weather, frost and ice particularly. November was cold and blustering, and 
enough snow fell to make good sleighing. December was quite mild and com- 
fortable. 

The above is a brief summary of the " Cold Summer of 1816," as it has always 
been known since that time. The sun's rays seemed to be destitute of heat 
throughout the summer; all nature seemed to have been clad in a sable hue, and 
men exhibited much anxiety concerning the future of this life. 

Eli Cr..\RK's Recollections. — Eli Clark made the following memorandums: 
■' The winter of 1823-24 was a very open winter season. March 19, began to 
plough. March 24, sowed three acres spring wheat. The ground was quite tlry 
and in perfect order for sowing. 

■■ Dnring the winter of 1835-36, snow fell two feet deep on the 24th of Novem- 
ber. 1835, ami it went off the last of December. The first of January it fell four 
feet deep, and remained on the ground until the i6lh of .April, and that winter was 
the coldest we have had for fifty years. Februarj-, 1836, the snow fell eighteen 
inches.' 

Water-Lime. — Water-lime, which is quarried in this town, consists of two 
layers, from three to four feet thick. Its color is drab, it is dull in its fracture, 
and is composed of minute grains, with usually but few lines of division. The 
upper of these courses burns more freely than the lower. When burnt, it is 
ground fine and mixed with sand — one part of lime to from two to six j)arts of 
sand, according to its quality and the speed with which it is desirable the cement 
should set. Owing to its property of preserving its fomi and hardening under 
water, it is used with stone or brick in the construction of cisterns, and without 
any other substance than sand for pipes for conducting water from springs. Such 
is its strength that a cylinder of pure cement and sand, six inches in diameter, of 
one inch caliber, buried three feet in the ground, after some years became closed at 
the lower end, and the pipe sustained the pressure of a column of water forty feet 
in height. The best practical tests for i)ersnns un,skilled in judging of the quality 
of this lime for cement are : The stone when burnt must not slake on the applica- 
tion of water: when ground, the cement must set quickly on Iwing wet ; keep its 
form under water, and hanlen until it becomes as hard as well-burnt brick. It 
is sometimes injured by being burnt tiK) much, and ven,- often it is nt)t ground fine 
enough. An engineering authority states that Onondaga water-lime is simply an 
impure lime, having clay enough in it to make it resist the action of water. I-irgc 
(piantitics of hydraulic cement are manufactured from our rocks and .sent in 
barrels wherever wanted. 

Division ok Marcklll^s. — .\ public notice, dated Xovemlwr 24, 1829, an- 
nounced that " application w ill be made to the next Legislature for the division 
of the town of Marcellus into three towns." 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 



CHAPTER VIII. 
The Cardiff Giant. 



Although not strictly within the town of Skaneatelss, still it was near enough 
to produce great excitement and interest among the people. It was brought to 
light, or, rather, said to liave been discovered (?), in the year 1869. Nearly all 
the residents of this town, particularly the men and many women, who could 
procure transportation thence, hastened to see the great curiosity, at Cardiff, 
about twelve miles distant. It was exhibited under a canvas tent, as it had been 
supposed to have lain in the ground for one or more centuries, lying on a sandy 
bed, which was cunningly devised to represent what had been originally the bed of 
a river. The earth immediately above the sandy bed was the mold of decayed 
leaves and vegetable substances, which had been gradually collecting for centuries. 
Fifty cents was the charge for admission. 

The first spasm of interest in this town was that two individuals of reputed 
wealth employed a responsible agent to go to Syracuse, and to endeavor to pur- 
chase an interest from the party there who owned the controlling interest in the 
" petrifaction." The agent had full power to make a purchase, if possible, at any 
reasonable terms. The consideration for the agent's services, if his mission was 
successful, was to be one-third of the investment. The Syracuse proprietor 
absolutely refused to dispose of any interest whatever, and would listen to no offer. 

Immediately after the exhibition was opened, large crowds of people from 
all the surrounding country thronged the roads and highways, in all descriptions 
of vehicles, on horseback and on foot. The town of Skaneateles was well repre- 
sented in its equipages large and small, and all classes of the inhabitants of both 
town and village rushed to see the " show," and among the females were some in 
" Bloomer costume." The giant, as his remains lay exposed in the canvas tent, 
was particularly offensive to purity of mind, and coarse and indelicate even to the 
common observer. 

This was a grand opening for the giant owners. Immediately great crowds 
of jicople rushed to see the petrifaction, among whom were professors, students 
of colleges, Egyptologists, archeologists, archbishops, clergymen, and, lastly, 
physicians. The general opinion was that it was a petrifaction. One of Skan- 
eateles' prominent physicians, on his return from the show, stated publicly that 
there was no doubt that it was a real petrifaction, as he was permitted to go into 
the well, and had made a close examination, and could sec the pores in the 
cuticle { !!). His opinion, of course, was the common talk of the villatrers. and 
was largelv instrumental in inducing many who before had little faith in the 
show to go. 



aisroRy a i.i.lls. v5 

Aiiutlicr party. Dr. Boyntun, residing in Syracuse, endeavored to obtain an 
interest in the giant, but all liis perseverance was in vain. The controlling interest 
in the giant made a great mistake in denying the application of Dr. I'.oynton. 
He. being naturally of an investigating nature, determined to get even with the 
giant owners, therefore he immediately commenced investigating the (as he 
suspected) origin of the " fake," as he supposed it was, and he always did Iiave 
that supposition. Even witii that suspicion, he considered a moderate investment 
in it a good operation, more especially as the scientists, archeologists, and pro- 
fessors of the Xew England colleges had, after inspection, pronounced it, some 
a petrifaction, others a statue. W'itli great perseverance, and through the aid of a 
detective employed by him, he obtained positive information that, about the 
previous year, a huge box had been transported from Chicago by the way of the 
{'•rem Western Railroad to Suspension Bridge, thence by the Xew York Central 
Railroad to Syracuse, thence by the way of the Syracuse & Binghamton Railroad 
to Binghamton, thence by the Erie Railroad to a station on that railroad named 
Union. This large box was addressed thus: " Finishkd Marble. G. Oujs, 
L'.MON, X. Y." Dr. Boynton was satisfied with his discovery thus far. 

The Originator of the CardilT Giant. — The originator of the Cardiff giant was 
a man named Hull. After Hull had shipped the box from Chicago, he had not 
determined its exact destination nor where il was to be buried. In the course of 
his investigations on that subject, he learned of a newly discovered cave in Salis- 
bury, Conn., and imniediately went there to ascertain whether it would be the 
proper location to place his petrifaction, and after a full inspection decided that 
it was exactly the right place, but was discouraged by the price demanded. 

After further thought, it occurred to him that some years previously there 
had been discoveries of fossil remains in (Jnondaga County, near Syracuse, X. Y., 
and that a nephew of his brother's wife, named William C. Xewell, was living in 
that locality. Hull, therefore, started thither at once. After a full conference 
explanatory of the object in view, a satisfactory arrangement was made with 
Xewell. The two men, after looking over the farm, decided the exact spot where 
the petrifaction was to be buried, and arranged all the details as to how it was to 
lie transported from the Erie Railroad car to XewelKs farm. 

Dr. Boynton's further investigation indicated that the large box had been 
taken from the platform-car during the early evening, and placed on a large 
truck-wagon, which was drawn by two teams of heavy horses, and transported to 
the Newell farm. 

Dug the Well to Bury the Giant. — Xewell had employed a number of lalxircrs 
to dig a well alongside of his barn, which had been fully completed, and was 
therefore ready to receive the giant upon its arrival. .Ml the implements f<ir th? 
pur])ose of lowering the giant, including a derrick, were in readiness for the 
arrival of the huge liox containing the giant, when it was immediately lowered 
in the pit and covered with earth, and the ham-yard refu.sc .scra]>cd over the 
newly covered grave. Here the giant was allowed to rest for a whole year. 



96 HISTORY OF SKANBATELES. 

Ordered to Dig up the Giant. — On October lo, 1869, Hull wrote to partner 
Newell that it was time to dig up the giant. Consequently Newell employed 
another set of laborers, mosth- neighboring farmers, avoiding the former laborers 
who dug a well for him the previous year, as it would not do to employ them! 
Well, these new workmen dug a well alongside of Newell's barn, and it was not 
long before one of them struck a rock, and, upon further investigation, Gideon 
Emmons discovered a massive stone foot, when he exclaimed : " Jerusalem, 
Nichols! It's a big Injun!" Following up the big foot the big Injun was soon 
uncovered. Newell immediately invited the four physicians of the neighborhood 
to view the big Injun. Their names were Dana, P'arker, AIcDonald, and Randall. 
They all concurred in the opinion that it was a petrifaction. A gentleman from 
Syracuse, who had inspected it, and who was known as a man of antiquarian 
research, otifered Newell $10,000 for the big Injun, which, under Hull's instruc- 
tions, was refused. Hull finally directed Newell to state that only three-quarters 
of it could be purchased at the rate of $30,000, the owners reserving one-quarter. 

A Sale was Made. — On these terms a sale was effected within a few days, the 
purchasers being: Alfred Higgins, Agent of the American Express Company of 
Syracuse; Dr. Amos Westcott, a wealthy dentist, and ex-Mayor of the city of 
Syracuse ; a Mr. Spencer, Simeon Rouse, Amos Gillette, and Messrs. J. M. Ellis 
and B. F. Fitch, bankers, all of Syracuse, N. Y. 

A showman was at once placed in charge, and for an advertisement invitations 
were sent out asking Professor Agassiz, Professor Hall, New York State Geolo- 
gist, and Stephen A. Woolworth, Secretary of the Board of Regents of the 
University, to come and scientifically examine the fossil man. 

F'rofessor Hall, in his opinion, believed it to be of great antiquity. Professor 
Henry A. Ward, who fills the chair of the Natural Sciences in the Rochester Uni- 
versity, was also present at the examination, and wrote on the subject : " Although 
not dating back to the stone age, it is nevertheless deserving of the attention of 
archeologists." 

Some of the expressions of opinion at tliis early date (that is, before the 
"humbug" was made public) were quite enthusiastic. One clergyman wrote: 
" This is not a thing contrived by man, but is the face of one who once lived like 
all on earth, the very image and child of God." 

The following ai)])reciative poem ap])eare(l in the .Skaneateles Democrat: 

The Stone Man. 

Egypt, renowned for her antiquities, 

Columns and pyramids of Time defiant : 
Turn back thy gaze from by-gone centuries, 

And view our strange Colossus the Stone Giant. 

The Sphinx, with patient face and earnest eyes. 

Looking for ages o'er its burning sands, 
Might start with wonder at our mysteries, 

To see this great stone face in distant lands. 



HISTOKi ^,r M^ASEATELES. >>: 

Gloomy the figures the Eg)plian wrought, 

And rude the sculpture of the centuries 
Of Scandinavia's myths and gods, and fraught 

With mystery is this man of stone. 

" Xo Indian ! " says the red man, for he sees 

Xo weapons in the tomb of war or chase; 
Its striking form, profound repose and ease, 

Denote the semblance of another race. 

Of holy men the heralds of the Cross, 

Fearless of want, of perils, and of strife; 
Who for the love of souls count all things loss, 

If they may break to them the Bread of Life. 

Wert thou not formed for some Cathedral grand? 

Where in some lofty niche that " calm, grand smile " 
Would seem a blessing to some little band 

Of worshippers, who knelt in its broad aisle? 

Since brought to light within this quiet vale. 
Thousands of wonder-stricken people come. 

For years will sires and grand-sires tell the talc 
Of the Stone Man and Ncwell's humble home. 

Skaneateles, November 29, 1869. 

A Deliberate E.raiiiiiialion. — On November 3 a large delegation of gentlemen 
from various parts of the State came to the tent to make a deliberate examina- 
tion. On inspection, they pronounced the " find " to be a statue, and, as the stone 
was of a quality different from any to be found in the neighborhood, that it must 
have been brought from a distance. 

The story of the unearthing of the giant and the surmises of the learned 
scientists were printed in the Syracuse newspapers, and the news was thereafter 
copied in all the newsjiapers throughout the United Stales and in Eur(i])e. 

Up to this time the giant was still under the tent at Cardiff, and, at tifty ceiit.^ 
admission, Hull, Iliggins & Co. were doing a large business, and a profitable one 
too. The large crowds of sightseers were daily in attendance. The great mis- 
take of the owners of the giant was, in the first place, in refusing Boynton an 
interest, and, secondly, in removing the giant from the profitable tent to Syracuse 
for exhibition there. The prevailing idea among many who came to the tent was 
that it was a petrifaction, its removal from where it was discovered (?), on the 
IxDttom of what had been apparently the I>cil of a river, therefore indicating its 
petrifactive quality. 

.\ftcr its arrival in Syracuse, "the great and only I?annnn " appeared, and 
desired to purchase the giant, but in vain, as it was to<i big a thing even for him to 
procure. So he cunningly employed a plaster of pan's vender, whose trade it was 
to sell images to the public, f'.arnum directed him to visit the show daily, be 



98 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

furnishing the admission fee, and instructed the man to make a complete model 
in form and color of the giant. Many visits were made for that purpose. Finally, 
after its completion, Barnum visited the show on purpose to make an examination 
and then to compare his observations with the model, and was satisfied with the 
work. Then Barnum ordered the man to make a full-sized giant, and in all 
respects a faithful imitation, which was duly finished to his entire satisfaction, 
carefully boxed, and shipped by canal to New York. On its arrival there it was 
placed in Wood's Museum, and largely advertised as the only " Onondaga " giant, 
and warranted by Barnum to be the only real " original " petrified giant from 
Onondaga County. He knew too much to advertise it as the Cardifif giant, as, if 
he did so, he would render himself liable to a suit for damages for unlawfully 
using a trade-mark. His advertisements were of the peculiar Barnum order, and 
were pictured on all the billboards and board fences throughout the city. When 
the real original " Newell " giant arrived in New York, Barnum immediately 
advertised it as an imitation of the real and only Onondaga giant, and such 
was the confidence in the great showman that he succeeded in making the 
people believe that his was the real original one. In consequence, the " Cardiff 
Show " was not patronized. 

The following is an extract from a newspaper article of that time: 

" THE FIRST DECLINE IN FORTUNE 

was brought about by Barnum, the showman, who now caine to Syracuse desirous of buying 
a share and assuming the management of the show, and being rejected, purchased in 
retaliation, from a German sculptor of the vicinity, named Otto, an unfinished imitation of 
the Cardiff giant ; engaged the sculptor to complete it, and then placing it on exhibition at 
Wood's museum in New York, circulated the pamphlet description of the original as an 
advertisement, and denounced the exhibition at Syracuse as that of a counterfeit giant ! 
An application was made to Judge Barnard for an injunction against Barnum's exhibition: 
but that solemn judicial functionary replied ' that he had been doing some business in 
injunctions, but was going to shut down now.' The original of the humbug came on to 
New York after a short reception in the state geological rooms in Albany, to find its 
prestige stolen by Barnum, and after an unsuccessful exhibition of a few days at the 
metropolis, was 

IltJRRIED AW,\Y TO BOSTON. 

Here it was of course visited by the learned men of Athens, and among the earliest by Dr. 
Holmes, who reported it to be an immense statue cut from stone by unknown hands, and 
of wonderful anatomical developments. Ralph Waldo Emerson pronounced it beyond his 
depth, very wonderful, and undoubtedly ancient. Cyrus Cobb, the artist and sculptor, 
declared that the man who called that a humbug simply declared himself a fool. On 
Feb. 4th a number of learned Bostonians visited the image in a sort of official body. They 
examined it long and patiently in every way known to science. The exterior was tested 
with acids ; the head was bored into ; the compass was carried around the body in search 
of iron. The learned conclusion was that the giant was a piece of stratified gypsum and 
was probably old. The subject invaded the Boston clubs. A whole evening was occupied 
with it at the Thursday Evening club, the president delivering a learned address to prove 
that the giant must be modern because its features were Napoleonic. The Boston exhibition 
proved a brief resuscitation of the financial success of the humbug, but after a few weeks 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 99 

llic .>ii>pKii'ii Hi iraud had bccomo so general thni the revenue began to decline, and after 
a few months the Cardiff giant passed out of public notice. 

THE RE\IVAL OF THE SUBJECT 

during the past year by discussion in some quarters in this country and Europe, and the 
reconsideration of its merits in some scientific circles, has perhaps made it worth while to 
present this simple connected statement of facts occurring in the history of the CardiflF 
image from its origin to the close of its career. These facts being all capable of verification 
may thus aid in refuting the errors that will be likely to arise where the attempt is made 
to dignify this Cardiff giant by considering it as anything more than a clever hoax." 

Rczerscs. — Successful and profitable up to this time, the tide of success had 
been unchecked. But now came a series of reverses, which resulted in slowly but 
surely establishing the true character of the humbug, and consequently in dimin- 
ishing the revenue. Professor U. C. Marsh, of Yale College, gave the first telling 
blow to the empiricism that had vouched for the giant's antiquity in the name of 
science, by stating that although gypsum is soluble in four hundred parts of 
water, yet the surface of the giant was smootii and Httle dissolved, though 
surrounded by wet earth, thus proving that tiie burial must have been recent. 
Professor Marsh also found other indications of newness which had escaped the 
learned scrutiny of others, such as recent tool-marks in places where they could 
not be easily effaced, and in places close by water-worn surfaces. Soon, also, 
there were letters, one after another, written l)y various persons who had seen the 
four-horse wagon carrying the large box to Cardiff. Then came other letters 
from Fort Dodge, Iowa, detailing the history of the stone quarried out and 
shipped to Chicago by Hull. July 27, 1868. Finally, the statement of the Chicago 
stone-cutter Markman came forward. 

The following extended history of the exposure of the fraud by Professor 
Marsh, copied from the Syracuse Post Standard, April 10, 1899, is of particular 
interest in connection with this subject: 

EXPOSED \ LOC.\L FR.VUD. 
Prof. Marsh of Yale Denounced the Cardiff Giant. 

PROMISED TO write A BOOK. 

The Famous Paleontolocist Has Recently Died— Circumstances Unmr \\ iiiii iIk 
Came to Syracuse to Visit the .\lleced " Petrifaction "—Had a Quarrel With 
Scientists and Theologians, but the Laugh Came His Way at Last— The Contro- 
versy With Dr. McWhorter and What Came of It. 

The recent death of Prof. O. C. ^[arsh of Yale, the famous paleontologist, who first 
exposed the Cardiff giant fraud, revives a reminiscent interest in a subject over which not 
only every citizen of Syracuse and Onondaga County, but for that matter, scientists, theo- 
logians and laymen the world over, were once wildly excited. 

Prof. Marsh often said he intended to write a book of reminiscences in which the 
Cardiff giant would be a prominent figure, but whether he left the ni.inusrript of such a 
work is not generally known. .\n old Yale man. who knew Prof. Mar-h intimately, relates 
in the New York Sun lh<- circumstances under whi<li I'mf M.ir.b .Ir, Iin-.l .is thr prmirsi 



loo HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

fraud of the age an object which many leading scientists of the time had asserted to be a 
v'onderful and genuine petrifaction, as follows : 

" There were very few people some thirty years ago who didn't know what the Cardiff 
giant was. It had been on exhibition for several months, special trains had been run to 
Syracuse to accommodate those who wished to see it, so that it was very well known. In 
the first place the Cardiff giant was the eighth wonder in the world ; in the second, it was 
a fossil man of marvelous antiquity. It had been unearthed in the fall of 1869 upon the 
farm of one George Hull, at Cardiff, N. Y. — an immense statue, some nine feet long, 
bearing unmistakable evidence of being a fossilized man. 

" No wonder that the whole community was aghast that Hull had an offer of $10,000 
for a part interest in his find ; that Prof. John Hall, the geologist of New York State, had 
given scientific sanction to its antiquity; that Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes had testified to 
its wonderful anatomical interest ; that Emerson began to patronize it in his philosophical 
way and pronounce it beyond his depth, and that the whole scientific world was debating 
whether it were a real fossil, a stone cut 300 j-ears before by the Jesuit fathers or a 
Phoenician god. 

PROF. M.\RSH VISITS SYR.\CUSE. 

" There was one man in New Haven, however, who was not so greatly impressed by all 
this as his scientific brethren. It so happened that Prof. Marsh was a native of Western New 
York, familiar with its geological features and had explored the very region in which the 
giant was supposed to have lain undisturbed for so many centuries. 

" He determined to examine into the foundation for all the wonderful stories he had 
heard, and so one day a small, keen-eyed man presented himself and his 50 cents at the 
tent in Syracuse, where the wonder lay in state. 

" The attendants had no idea who their visitor was and their suspicions were not 
aroused even when he requested permission to go inside the ropes and make a more minute 
examination. This permission was secured after some difficulty. He was accompanied by 
the keeper who, during the examination, kept pointing out all the fine points of his charge 
in apparent fear that Prof. Marsh might miss something. The professor, however, saw 
a great many more things than any one had any idea of. 

■■ The first thing he noticed was that the stone of which the image was made was 
gypsum. It so happens that gypsum is soluble in 400 parts of water and that the region 
in which the image was found was very damp — so how under the sun, the professor asked 
himself, could it have retained that fine polish and all the fine pinhole marks that the 
scientists had explained as pores of the skin? The professor further observed that these 
pores themselves occurred at regular intervals and in the same abundance, which at once 
led him to the conclusion that this had been made with some instrument moving regularly 
over the surface. 

UECL.\RED THE GI.SNT .\ FR.\UI). 

" In fact. Prof. Marsh had hardly examined the thing five minutes Iiefore he saw that 
it was a gigantic fraud. The first step he took after reaching the hotel was to write a 
letter to a newspaper friend exposing the fraud, which that gentleman at once published. 
This letter went the rounds of the press and was generally regarded as convincing proof 
against the antiquity of the giant. 

" Prof. Marsh's trouble did not end there, however. He met antagonism near at home. 
One of the most picturesque figures upon the Yale campus in those days was the Rev. 
.-Mcxander McWhorter. McWhorter was a Yale graduate, a former professor in the 
Troy Theological Seminary, a man of much antiquarian knowledge and general scholarship. 
There was one thing in the world of which McWhorter was very fond, and that was this 
same Cardiff giant. It was a very tender spot with him. 



HISTOK) -'/ MK.IXEATELES. loi 

■ He had a pet theorj' that long before the time of Columbus or Lcif Ericsson, the 
New World, and especially that region in Western New York, had been inhabited by the 
Phoenicians. Of course, the discovery of the Cardiff giant was conclusive evidence that 
this theorj- was correct. It was not a fossilized man, after all, but a Phoenician god, many 
centuries old. 

■■ McWhorter worshiped this god as devoutly as the old Phoenicians themselves, an<i 
when he read Prof. Marsh's letter he was a very angry man. .\s soon as Prof. Marsh 
returned to New Haven his theological friend began to upbraid him. 

■■ In time I believe that even McWhorter saw his mistake, but it was only after many 
jears. It was the great disappointment of his life and he did not survive it long. He 
alw.iys nourished a grudge against Prof. Marsh and other Yale men who made sport of 
the Cardiff giant. By the way where is this Cardiff giant to-day? Prof. Marsh once told 
mc that his latest report was that it was stranded on the Mexican frontier at EI Paso, where 
A. IS held for unpaid duties upon imported statuary." 

.Shortly afterward, the Syracuse Post Standard, on .April 25, i8yy, pulilished 
the following announcement : 

WILL BE EXHIBITED. 

CARDIFF CI.\.\T I.\ THE CENTRAL FREIGHT OFFICE. 

The Cardiff giant has again come to life after almost twenty years of slumber and will 
again be put on exhibition before the public. It has been found in the freight office of 
the New York Central railroad. This time, however, it will be exhibited as the greatest 
fake in America. It is eleven feet in length and weighs 3.800 pounds. There have been 
several Tamuses on exhibition since P. T. Barnum offered $60,000 for the services of this 
one for three months and all the lime the supposed original one was on exhibition at the 
world's fair the real original one was .slumbering in the freight office here. 

The only birth the Cardiff giant ever had was in the brain of George Hull, a Connecticut 
Yankee. He secured the stone near F"ort Dodge and shipped it to Chicago, where the 
image was made and discolored with acid. It was then shipped to Union, near Binghamton, 
and rcshipped to Cortland. From there it was carted in the night to the farm of " Stubb " 
Newell in Cardiff. It was duly buried in 1868. but without ceremony and by moonlight, 
where it rested for one year, when it was found by Newell while digging a well. 

Cardiff Giant and the Indians. — One of the mythological legends of tlu' 
Six Nations was the invasion of the " Stone Giants," which wajjed cruel, unre- 
lenting war. This and other stories emlKjdy exaggerated traditions of the Onon- 
dagas. When the Cardiff giant was unearthed, the Onondagas caine in numbers 
and greeted the stone man as one of the enemies who centuries ago invaded and 
played havoc with the Indian country. 

.\ List of Early Xewsp.spf.rs in C.wl'Ga CofNTV. — The Levanna Gaccttc 
was estalilished in the town of Scipio. July 20, 1798. 

The Western Luminary, in Scipio, in 1799. 

The .Aurora Gazette in 1790, continued until 1805, when it was removed t'l 
.\ul)urn and changed to the Western Federalist, and in 1815 changed to the 
Auhiirn Gazelle. 

The Cavuga r<7f.vifi was cninmcnccd at Union Springs in 181 2, and soon after 
removed to .\ul>urn and continued until 1847. when it was united with the Cayuga 
Patriot. 



102 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

Ihe Cayuga Patriot was started in Auburn in 1814. 

The Cayuga Neiij Era was afterward published for a short time. 

The Advocate of the People was published in 1816. 

The Cayuga Republican commenced in 1819 ; in 1833 it was united with the 
Auburn Journal and Advertiser, and in 1846 it was issued as the Auburn Journal. 

The Auburn Free Press commenced in 1824. 

Note. — Of all these early newspapers none of the files are known to be in 
existence, except a file of the Cayuga Tocsin, which is now in the private library 
of the late William H. Seward. There are two numbers of the Cayuga Patriot, 
dated 1818, now in our Skaneateles Library, bound in with other old local news- 
papers. These two Cayuga Patriots were collected and presented to the Skan- 
eateles Library by E. N. Leslie. 

Charles Good.-\ll. — Charles Goodall was born at Draycott, Somersetshire, 
England, December 20, 1824. His father, George Goodall, was a farmer. 
Charles as a boy worked for his father at ordinary farmwork, and so continued 
until the news of the bright prospects of the land beyond the sea reached the 
seclusion of the village farm and had stirred up longings which could not be 
quelled. And so, at the age of sixteen, with one companion somewhat his senior, 
the young man left the quiet scenes of rural England, and, sailing in the good 
ship Adirondack, Captain Hackstaff, safely reached New York, on May 11, 1841. 
With characteristic energy he lost no time in the uncertain efforts of city life, but, 
sailing up the Hudson to Albany, and going thence to Syracuse, he traveled on 
foot in search of such employment as his early home life had fitted him for, and, 
undeterred by several unsuccessful eft'orts, he finally secured employment, spend- 
ing the winter in the employ of an English farmer. 

In the spring of 1842 he commenced his travels on foot for more desirable 
employment, until' he happened to reach Skaneateles, at which place he secured 
farmwork by the month with an old ship captain named De Cost. The year spent 
in the employ of Captain De Cost, and hearing him relate sea-yarns, interested 
Ojodall, so much so as to awaken the idea that he must go to sea and to follow 
that for a living. When, therefore, after he had spent one year on the captain's 
farm, it was sold, and it had passed into the possession of new owners, Goodall 
then found that his opportunity had come. The stepson of Captain De Cost, 
Edward B. Coe, had also an inclination to go to sea. and both had often talked the 
matter over. Goodall made his way to New Bedford, and, ascertaining that 
Edward B. Coe had previously shipped on the same vessel, engaged for a three 
years' whaling voyage in the ship Milo. The voyage extended to three years and 
nineteen days, and was quite successful, as the ship returned with a full cargo of 
oil. When he again stood on terra firma. the young sailor found himself pos- 
sessed of the enormous sum of one hundred and eighty-three dollars as his portion 
of the proceeds. But this sum was the most insignificant of the rewards of that 
first voyage. It had opened his mind to the possibilities of his future life. It 
liad given him the benefit of travel, and of visits to the Western and the Cape 



HIMUIO (II- SK.l\l:.\ 1 l:l.l:S. 103 

\tTd Islands, Chili, Peru, Bolivia, Alaska, the Sandwich Islands, Society Islands, 
Mas-a-fuera, Juan Fernandez, and other places which had been visited by the 
ship Mile during her long voyage. It convinced him that his sphere was not in 
plowins,' the soil, hut rather plowing the ocean over the keel of a well-freighted 




/^^ ^^^^^^^^ 



vessel, and, consequently, reaping the harvest of marine commerce. Intelligent 
and anxious to learn and to profit by the experiences of others, the associations 
formed during this whaling voyage enabled him to remedy the defects of his 
limited early education. 

Soon after the arrival of the Milo at New Bedford and his return to Skan- 
eateles, the exciting and extraordinary news from California which produced the 



I04 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

" California gold fever '' of '49 determined Goodall at once to go there. xVs 
all his capital then consisted of the money received from his whaling voyage, he 
could not afford to go by way of Panama across the Isthmus, and therefore took 
passage on a schooner via Cape Horn to San P'rancisco, where after a long 
passage he arrived January 25, 1850. 

From San Francisco he went up to the " gold diggings," and for eight months 
used pick and shovel with but little success. He went back to San Francisco, and 
obtained employment on a water-boat, which brought pure spring water from 
Saucelito, on the bay, and supplied the shipping lying at San Francisco. He care- 
full}- saved his wages, purchased a water-boat, and continued the same business 
of supplying ships with pure spring water. 

Not long after he had purchased the water-boat, a small steam-tug, which had 
been shipped to San Francisco to be sold, was purchased by Goodall. Instead of 
supplying the shipping with water, he soon acquired the business of towing the 
ships about the harbor, and towing them out to sea when necessary owing to 
adverse winds. He became very popular with the merchants and captains. He 
had the reputation of never using profane language to his assistants, never pas- 
sionate, always gentle and kind. These traits, especially with the merchants, 
made him many friends and made his business profitable. 

An opportunity oft'ering to ship on a trading voyage to the South Pacific 
Islands, he made it convenient to accept it, and shipped on the vessel, thus utilizing 
his knowledge of seafaring life. The vessel first stopped at Panama, then the 
Fiji, Friendly, New Hebrides, and other islands, as well as Australia and the 
commercial ports of China. 

While stopping at the Fiji Islands, Goodall made the acquaintance of Chris- 
topher Nelson, who had been wrecked and thrown among the Fiji savages. He 
with the rest of the crew was rescued and brought away by the vessel on which 
(joodall was. Mr. Nelson was a native of Denmark, and had become an American 
by adoption. They both returned to San Francisco. In the mean time, Goodall 
ascertained through his intimacy with Nelson that a partnership with him would 
be desirable, consequently the firm of -Goodall & Nelson became established in San 
Francisco. Their lousiness was a limited one, owing to the want of capital. 

Note. — In writing the life of Charles Goodall, and reading of his success in 
life, starting from his residence in Skaneateles, in 1842, being at that time em- 
ployed as a farm-laborer by Captain De Cost, it is impossible to ascertain, from 
newspaper statements or any other published sources of information, the details 
of his business life from the time that he landed in San Francisco in 1S50. Of 
course, no person can make a success in life except by strict integrity in all his 
intercourse with his fellow citizens, strict economy, strict morality, strict attention 
to business, and good health. Such were the characteristics of Charles Goodall. 

In the year 1S70, the firm of Goodall & Nelson associated with them Air. 
George C. Perkins, a native of Kennebunk, Maine, who in his early years fol- 
lowed the sea, preeminently fitting him for the duties which devolved upon him 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 105 

as a member of the new firm of Goodall, Nelson & Perkins. Mr. iVrkins had 
long been known as a successful merchant at Oroville, Cal., and as State Senator 
of Butte County, possessed thorough business qualifications, and a disposition and 
integrity of character which commanded the respect of all with whom he came 
in contact, \\hile discharging his duties as State Senator, he met Charles 
Goodall, who, in the year 1870, had been elected to the State Assembly from San 
Francisco. The acquaintance thus fonned soon served to develop a warm mutual 
attachment, which eventually resulted in the formation of the copartnership of 
Goodall, Nelson & Perkins. In the year 1876, Mr. Nelson disposed of his interest 
in the firm, and gave place to Edwin Goodall, a younger brother of Charles, since 
which event the style of the firm has been Goodall, Perkins & Co. 

In a letter written to the author, dated about five months previously to hi> 
death, Charles Goodall stated that the business of the firm " has of course enlargol. 
so that now it embraces Mexico and ' The Land of the Midnight Sun,' which is 
served by about twenty-five steamers, and a half-dozen whalers that pursue their 
avocation in the Arctic Ocean. The fleet is engaged in the capture of whales for 
the whalebone mostly, caring very little for the oil, which is the reverse of m\ 
experience when I was on board the Milo, in the years i84'>49. Another brancii 
of the firm's business is engaged in catching salmon and canning the product. 
The purport and labor called for is about equally divided between catching whales 
and salmon. I have the honor to be president of the company, with a capital of 
$2,500,000, but I am happy to say I do not own it all." 

The success of Charles Goodall has been acquired by slow degrees, step by 
step, during the interim of the fifty-eight years since he was a farm-laborer in 
Skaneateles, and, if he had shown no greater cnerg}- than a mere hope of some 
day doing something better, it is most likely that the Pacific Coast would never 
have known this one of the most reliable business men and prominent citizens of 
California. 

During his business life in San Francisco he entered actively into public 
affairs. In 1861-62 he was Harlx)r-^[astcr at San Francisco, and in 1870 he was 
elected to the Legislature. He was at one time President of tlic Chamber of 
Commerce. He was also Trustee of the Loland Stanford Jr. University. He 
was a religious man, and his many gifts testify to his spirit of generosity. He 
was a member of Simpson Memorial Church, Honorary President of the City 
Church E.xtension Society, Trustee of the University of the Pacific, and wa< 
always identified with the Young Men's Christian .Association. He was par- 
ticularly generous to religious societies. The Howard Street Methodist Church 
received thousands of dollars from him, and many smaller churches shared in the 
generous disposition of his wealth. The L'niversity of the Pacific received more 
than $20,000, Simpson Memorial Church $4,500, and the episcopal residence 
$7,500. 

On June 10, 1899, he left San Francisco, accompanied by his wife. It was to Ik 
a trip for both health and pleasure, and it was intended to visit several cities on 



io6 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

the Continent before their return. He and his wife had previously made a tour 
of Europe during the year 1884, and a series of letters from him descriptive of 
his travels was published in the California Christian Advocate. These letters 
were afterward published in pamphlet form for the use of Charles Goodall's 
friends. They were written by a plain business man, who wrote as he saw, 
thought, and felt, without any attempt to follow guide-books or other men's tracks. 
When he and his wife left San Francisco, June 10, 1899, he first went to Draycott, 
Somersetshire, England, his old home where he was born. It was during his 
soiourn there, and only about a month after he left San Francisco, that he died, on 
July 13, from heart disease, superinduced by rheumatism. 

The following from the San Francisco Argonaut gives the particulars of 
Charles Goodall's last will and testament : 

■' His executors were George C. Perkins, Edwin Goodall, and C. M. Goodall. 
The total value of his estate is $1,010,362.74. The residuary devisees and 
legatees to whom the properties now in the hands of the executors will be dis- 
tributed are : Mrs. Caroline J. Goodall, decedent's widow, and his children, Charles 
Minor Goodall, Flora A. Bland, Serena T. Kell, and Harry Walter Goodall." 

Note. — Charles Goodall, in the year 1892, presented to the Skaneateles Library 
Association three hundred dollars. 

Old Accounts.- — The following is a running account between a farmer and 
Winston Day, who was an early merchant in the village. The money repre- 
sented as pounds, shillings, and pence was really the divisions of the Spanish 
milled dollars. The pence were the ordinary pennies ; the shillings were in value 
twelve and a half cents ; and the pounds were twenty shillings of twelve and a 
half cents each. 

Dr. to Winston Day, 
September, 1805, William J. Vredenbubg : 

i s. d. 

To sawing one night 100 

To three white ash logs 12 o 

April, 1805. 

To three hemlock logs, 767 feet 7 

To taking a deer down to you 6 

Dec, 1812. 

To 15H pounds of beef at 6d 6 9 

The following is another account : 

Winston Day, Dr. to Eli Clark. 

i s. d. 

To 32 bushels house ashes i i 4 

53 bushels field ashes ' i 6 6 

70 bushels ashes i 15 o 

March, 1803. 

To S bushel & 43 pounds wheat i 7 o 

Among the accounts is the following item: 

"Warren Hecox, Sept., 1811, Dr. To sheepskin, hogskins, cowhides, oats, potatoes, etc." 



HISTORY Of SK.lXn.lTELES. 



CHAPTER IX. 
Earlv Reminiscenxes. 

Celebr.\tio.\ of the Fourth of Jllv Sevextv Ye,\rs Ago.— We copy 
from the Skaneateles Telegraph of June 29, 1831, the following abstract of a 
grand celebration held in this village at that early period, without giving all the 
details, which fill a column of the paper. It was about that time that the Pres- 
byterian church had been built and finished : 

" At 10 o'clock A.M., a gun will be fired as a signal for forming the procession, 
at which hour the procession will form, under the direction of the Marshal of the 
Day and his assistants, in front of Isaac W. Perry's stage-house." The details 
of the procession are here omitted. 

■ The procession will march up Market to Xorth Street, up Xorth Street to 
Academy Street, down Academy Street to Main Street, and up Main Street to 
the Brick Church. On arriving at the church the procession will open to the 
right and left, and face inward, and march into the church in inverted order. 
At the church the exercises will take place in the following order: 

I'rayer. 
Music. 
Reading of the Declaration. 
Music. 
Oration. 
Benediction. 

" At the close of the exercises in the church the procession will form in the 
order specified in the bills of the day, and move up Main Street to Hamilton 
Street, and thence to the boat-yard to witness the launch of the steamboat. After 
the launch the procession will form according to the same directions, and march 
to Main Street, to the inn of Isaac \V. Perry, where dinner will be prepared. 
A President and Vice-President appointed by the committee will preside at the 
table. At sunset an evening salute of thirteen guns will be fired. In the evening 
an exhibition of fireworks and the ascension of balloons are announced. 

" The committee give notice that the doors of the church will be open from 
6 to 10 A.M. for the admission of ladies, who are requested to take scats on the 
east side of the church." 

Then the veterans of the War for Independence residing in our vicinity were 
invited, and the officers of the Militia of this State were invited to appear in their 
uniforms on this occasion. 



io8 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

" The committee further sohcit the citizens of this and adjoining towns, who 
feel an interest in the dissemination of hberal principles or the prosperity of this 
village, to lay aside their usual vocations, to banish sectional and political 
jealousies, and unite Avith us in the commemoration of this birthday of our 
Independence. 

" It is with peculiar pride and pleasure that the committee announce to those 
residing at a distance that the launch of the steamboat erecting in this village, 
forming such an interesting epoch in the history of this place, will also add to the 
interest of the celebration. 

Warrex Hecox, Edw.ard Sandi-ord, 

Samuel Porter, H. W. Allen, 

Phares Gould, Joseph Battiiv, 

Stephen Horton, Nelson Hawlev, 

F. G. Jewett, B. S. Wolcott, 

Daniel Kellogg, E. H. Porter.'' 

John Lego, 

The oration at the celebration was delivered by a prominent }oung attorney, 
a notable citizen. On this occasion the wife of Captain Kirby Smith, who was a 
Miss Jerome, was present and an interested listener. She recognized the oration 
as in part a plagiarism, which she afterward made known to her particular 
friends. Mrs. Kirby Smith had in her early girlhood been a pupil at the " Hive " 
boarding-school, kept by Lydia P. Mott, of Skaneateles. 

The First New.spaper. — The Skaneateles Telegraph was first issued July 2<S, 
1829. W. H. Child was the publisher, and D. B. Drake editor. The following 
extracts from the leading editorial are of interest : 

" Though we have labored under many embarrassments of a discouraging 
nature in the undertaking, we have at length issued the first number of our paper. 
. . . It will be observed that this paper is dated several days forward, so that 
the second number will not be issued till the 4th of August. In the mean time we 
trust we shall have a large accession to our subscription list. This number will 
be sent to every dwelling in the village. If any should be neglected, it will be 
unintentional. Those who may fee! themselves unable or unwilling to subscribe 
will return the first number as soon as convenient." 

The editor then goes on 'to define his position in regard to politics. 

General Jackson was then President. 

One of the advertisements gave the following announcement of the Skaneateles 
Hotel, kept by N. D. Caldwell and K. Wallis : 

" The subscribers having refitted and newly furnished this extensive establish- 
ment, formerly occupied by S. & J. Hall, oft'er their services for the accommoda- 
tion of the public. Its delightful situation on the margin of the lake, the beauty 
of the scenery, and the healthfulness of the climate give it every natural advantage. 
Thev also flatter themselves that the convenience of the accommodations, the 



HISTOKl ('/• ->/v.i.N/:.ii£L£5. 109 

excellencies of their table and bar, and the most assiduous attention of all belong- 
ing to the establishment will render it a pleasant retreat for travelers or parties of 
pleasure. 

■■ X.B. — Seals may be taken every day in the different stages running to 
Homer, Ithaca, Jordan, Syracuse, Buffalo, and Albany." 

Dr. Parsell opened an office for the practise of medicine at the hotel. 

John H. Johnson was Sheriff, and Joseph Dascomb was his deputy. 

rhe following marriage notices appeared : 

■ July 6, 1829, Mr. Holland W. Chadwick was married to Miss Matilda 
Earll. 

" )^^h' i< Joseph S. Mott to Miss Mary Thome, daughter of Nicholas Thorne. 

■ In Elbridge, July 4, E. D. Wheadon to Miss Sarah Man-in."' 
AiJVERTiSEXiENT. — Here is a characteristic advertisement of this time: 

One Cent Reward. 

Ran away from the subscriber on or about the 24th ult. an indented boy in the farming 
business, named Norman Hodges, aged 14 years. Whoever will return said boy to the sub- 
scriber shall receive the above reward. .Ml persons are forbid harboring him or trusting 
him under penalty of the law. John Carpenter. 

Marcellus, Jan. 11, 1830. 

Gexer.\l Tr.mnixg D.w. — Ur. Israel Parson's " Centennial History " gives 
the following history of " General Training Day " : 

■' Previous to the year 1846 a day was set apart for a general turnout of the 
Militia. This was a product of the Revolution. On this day a regiment would 
assemble, alternately in this village and the village of Marcellus, ' amied and 
equipped as the law directs,' for the purpose of military drill and parade. These 
regimental drills occurred day by day, succeeding each other until all the regi- 
n'ents in the Brigade had been successively inspected by the Brigadier-tieneral. 
With the movements of the Brigadier-General and his aids from one general train- 
ing place to another, there followed a perfect caravan of pedlers, trucksters, and all 
sorts of people, who would arrange themselves early in the morning in convenient 
places in the village. These were followed by endless streams of people who 
were to make up the various actors and si)ectators of the day. 

•• General Training Day was about the middle of September. With the excep- 
tion of an independent company of sixty, called the Rifle Company, the others 
were denominated Bear Foot and Floodwood companies. Probably these names 
were given them on account of the striking contrast they presented to the Ritle 
Company, which was a trim, beautiful company of selected men. whose uniform 
was a dark-pray suit : pants with a black stripe running down the outside of the 
leg; dress coat, single-breasted, with one row of gilt military buttons set closely 
together extending from the waist to the neck; a stiff straight collar, with three 
or four parallel stripes of yellow tinsel lace extending around its whole length; 
there were also two stripes of same extending over each shoulder and around the 



no HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

cuffs of the sleeves ; a tall beaver hat, with a thin brass plate ornamented with 
figures fastened on the front of it, and from behind this plate apparently growing 
out of the top of it was a tall, bushy red feather. Each man carried a first-class 
rifle, in complete order, and a powder-flask suspended from a belt fastened around 
his waist. 

'■ Occasionally this company assembled on the Fourth of July for the purpose 
of escorting and doing honor to the old veterans. The ' Floodwood Companies,' 
although made up of men like the Rifle Company, had the appearance of having 
emanated from some dark region of the earth, on account of the utter carelessness 
manifested by a portion of them in dress and personal appearance. Having no 
uniform, every man was dressed to meet his own views of taste and comfort, so 
that, when formed into one body as a regiment, there was very much the appear- 
ance of dazzling light leading hideous darkness. The Floodwood Companies 
were equipped with musket and bayonet, a cartridge-box hanging one side and a 
bayonet-sheath the other, each suspended by a strap passing over the opposite 
shoulder. 

" Although on Company Training Day ( which was always the first Monday 
in September) there were many departures in the Floodwood Companies from 
the regulations of the day, but on ' General Muster ' order prevailed ; for the 
scrutiny of the higher officers peculiar to this day w-as such that whoever ventured 
to violate rules was sure to be returned to court martial, and there to meet with 
a retribution which destroyed all desire ever afterward to repeat the mis- 
demeanor." 

An Affair of Honor. — In the year 1812, during the war of that period, there 
was, about half a mile north of the village of Marcellus, a central point where 
there were a grist-mill, a saw-mill, and a whisky-still, which in those days was of 
considerable importance in furnishing a market for surplus grain which otherwise 
could not find sale nearer than Albany. A wool-carding and cloth-dressing 
machine here was patronized by the farmers for the purpose of having the product 
of their families' looms finished for domestic use. A store supplied whisky and 
other merchandise for the needy who had the wherewith to buy or exchange. The 
store and the still were owned by Joseph Piatt, and the still was run by Alvin 
North. There were besides a paper-mill owned by John Herring, and a powder- 
mill owned by some one else. This collection of mills and the store, together with 
the still, comprised an attractive business center, where the inhabitants of the 
surrounding country met for business purposes and to discuss the news of the day. 
Politics at the time were uppermost in the public mind, and the war of opinions 
at times was very bitter by members of opposite parties, which on some occasions 
led to literal knock-down arguments, at other times to fun and frolic or to the 
ridiculous, especially when both parties w'ere not under the influence of liquor. 

Reuben Farnham, a resident of Skancatclcs, and a man named Tompkins, 
who resided in the vicinity of the whisky-still, had a discussion. The theme 
was politics ; the subject was the Hartford Convention and its purpose and 



HISTORY Ul- ^K.IXE.-ITELES. m 

effect. I'arnham had a special weakness for fire-waler and was inclined to inibihe 
whenever an opportunity presented itself, and the day these two men met he was 
very noisy and intoxicated. Tompkins was a Democrat, and Farnham a Federal. 
The discussion was very heated, and Tompkins made such insulting charge* 
against his adversary that Farnham seemingly tfxik offense, demanded an apology, 
and, being insultingly denied, challenged Tompkins. He would only meet him 
again on the field of honor, and pistols were to be the arbiter of the insult. 
Tompkins accepted the challenge, seconds were selected by each party, Joseph 
Piatt being one and Alvin North the other, and with them all matters were left 
to arrange the preliminaries of the meeting, they to furnish and prepare the 
weapons, place the parties in position, and to give the signal to tire. 

According to this prearrangement, the duelists met in a large room selected 
for the purpose, were placed at each end by their respective seconds, the pistols 
placed in their hands, and at the signal both fired simultaneously. Tompkins fell 
heavily on the floor, bleeding profusely from the left breast, deluging the room 
with blood, and after a few struggles and gasps was to all appearances dead. 

When Farnham realized the scene, he seemed dumfounded, a reaction in his 
feelings overpowered him with remorse, and he wept like a child, and swore that 
he would give himself up to the authorities and meet the legal consequences. 

Tompkins' body was carried off by his friends. The affair caused the most 
intense excitement in the neighborhood, and preparations were made for the arrest 
of Farnham ; but before that took place the secret leaked out that Tompkins had 
not been killed, the duel was all a sham, and there were no bullets placed in the 
pistols. Tompkins had previously placed a small bladder of some red liquid 
under his vest, which was punctured at the proper time, and accounted for the 
profuse flow of blood, especially as he purposely fell on the left side where the 
bag of fluid was placed. 

The duel was to all parties, together with the spectators, except Farnham, a 
practical joke. To him it seemed a terrible reality, seeing blood as it appeared 
running from the dying man's breast after he fell on the floor. After the company 
was fully satisfied with the sport Tompkins reappeared as sound as ever. When 
Farnham discovered that he had been f<x)lcd by a practical joke, his anger was 
unbounded, and he threatened Tompkins' life in revenge for the deception ; but 
he soon cooled off, sense and reason came to his relief, and the whole matter was 
finally settled by the company present making up a subscription and sending over 
to the store for a jug of whisky, of which all joyously partook. 

The First M.\it.-C.\RRiERS a.nd the First Stage-Co.\chks. — The first 
United States mails in this section of the State were carried through here in 
1797-98, on horseback, by a Mr. Langdon. He was succeeded by a Mr. Lucas, 
who drove a wagon for the purpose. He also established a two-horse passenger- 
wagon, with which he did a profitable business. The fir«t four-horse mail-coach 
was sent through once a week by Jason Parker. During the next year he ran 
his coaches twice a week from I'tica to Canandaigua. carrying the mail and pas- 



112 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

sengers. In that year, by act of the Legislature, Jason Parker and Levi Stephens 
were granted the exclusive right for seven years for running stages for passengers 
at least twice a week along the Genesee Road or the Seneca Turnpike, between 
Utica and Canandaigua. They w^re required to furnish substantial covered 
wagons or sleighs, and the fare was limited to five cents per mile. They were 
also required to make the run through in forty-eight hours, accidents excepted, 
and not more than seven passengers were allowed in any one stage, except by 
consent of the seven. If four others applied for passage, the proprietors were 
bound immediately to start an " extra " for their accommodation. This line of 
stages began running daily in 1808, after which many other lines of stage-coaches 
were placed on this route, which were continued for many years and up to the 
time when the iron horse appeared and displaced the stage-coach. 

E..\RLY History. — Gibbs & Morton's store, which formerly stood on the Horton 
lot, was removed to Syracuse Street and titted for a dwelling by Nelson Hawley. 
It is now occupied by Mrs. Peacock, or Nat Miller's widow. 

Dr. William Pratt was a physician here in 1807-8. 

Piatt Wikes kept a store next to Day & Sherwood's in 1806. 

Peter E. Gumaer and James Ennes were here in 1800. This Gumaer was the 
first of that name who settled here. 

In the year 1815, David H. Griswold, who was a brotlier-in-law of Ambrose 
Hecox, kept the old tavern which was on the same ground now occupied by the 
Savings Bank, next east of Judge Marvin's house. A ballroom formed one of 
the attractions of this old hostelry. This old tavern originated about the year 
1796. It was then kept by Captain Welsh, who was a militia captain. Then it 
was a log house situated about or near where the corner of Main and State streets 
now is. Afterward a frame addition was placed on the west side. This was two 
stories and about sixty feet front, and extended to the line of Winston Day's lot. 

As stated above, the ballroom was the only accommodation of that kind in the 
village in 1815. There was a dancing-school kept there, and the dancing-master's 
name was Bond. 

After the Lake House was built, in 1824, a ballroom was made in the second 
story. The music was furnished by a Mr. Beach and his son, the father playing 
the violin and the son the bass viol. They furnished music for all the neighbor- 
ing settlements. Mr. Beach resided in either Marcellus or Onondaga, and was a 
devoted lover of music, a very fine player, and in a worldly way was in comfort- 
able circumstances. He played as much for his own comfort as for his employers. 

In 1816 William H. Sandford kept a store in this village. 

A Brother of Benedict Arnold. — Henry Arnold, a brother of the traitor 
Arnold, once resided in this village. His residence was a small, unpainted one, 
and was the dwelling which occupied the place now owned by Thomas Y. Avery, 
opposite St. James' Church. He came here from Canada and was a resident about 
three years. He was related by marriage with John Ten Eyck's wife. He 
afterward returned to Canada. 



HISTORV .'/ ..rx.iXEATELES. 113 

1 iiE Dark Day. — Tliis was one of tlie epoclis of tlie early settlers, and was 
caused by an annular eclipse of the sun, which took place June 16, 1806. The day 
was cloudy, and the obscuration produced almost total darkness. The many 
forest-trees which surrounded the dwellings of the people had the effect of deep- 
ening the darkness. The feathered tribe all retired to roost, and the day was one 
long remembered. 

Samuel Litherland and Isaac Selover were engaged in laying the floors of the 
Vredenburg house on that day, and it became so dark that it was impossible to 
go on with the work, so Mr. Wedenburg supplied them with candles. Mr. 
Litherland was in the habit of recounting his experience on that occasion to his 
friends throughout his life. 

Incident of the War of 1812. — During the war a detachment of cavalry 
stopped here on their way to the frontier, and employed John Legg to make 
horseshoes and a supply of horseshoe-nails. Legg had all the blacksmiths in 
the surrounding country to work for him in completing this order, as it was 
necessary to have the utmost despatch. 

Repulsing the British during the War of 1812. — In the month of Octo- 
ber, 1814, all the able-bodied men in this military district were ordered out to 
repulse the British, who were threatening both Oswego and Sacket's Harbor. No 
British were encountered, and but little is known of their adventures except the 
portion who went to Oswego. On their route to and from that place they con- 
ducted themselves in such a manner that the people residing in the vicinity have 
always said they would have rather had the British than the Americans. 

British Prisoners. — In the month of August, 1814, one hundred and sixty- 
eight British prisoners captured in the attack on Fort Kric passed through this 
place. They bivouacked overnight on the lake-shore, on the land now c>wned by 
Mr. Fred Roosevelt. They were on their way to the cantonment at (jreenbusli, 
on the Hudson River. 

Samuel Francis. — Samuel Francis was Iwrn in Fair Haven, \"t.. Marcli 25, 
1773. He came to Skaneatelcs in 1S14, accompanied by his wife and four sons, 
Samuel, George, Eliel, and Wadsworth. Two of his .sons learned to manufacture 
hats with their father, and finally succeeded him in the business under the firm 
name of S. & G. Francis. The hat-factory was on the siiore of the lake, imme- 
diately east of the present site of St. James' Church, and, Ifjcated on the south 
side of the Seneca Turnpike road, in front of the factory, was the store, where the 
finished stock of hats was kept for sale, anrl in the rear of this building was 
another small one adjoining, where (ieorgc Francis dressed the hats. On the 
front of the hat-store was a large, artistically painted sign, illustrating the method 
of obtaining the raw material used in the manufacture of hats. On the sign, in 
oil-colors, was a full-length Iiulian, nearly life-size, selling furs to a white man, 
intended to represent Samuel I*"rancis. standing behind a counter in his store. 
This illustrated sign was in existence until alwut the year 1842. It was {lainled 
bv Charles L. Elliott, the artist. The Francis hat-factory .stipplied all this .section 



114 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

of country with fur and wool hats, and was the only establishment of the kind in 
this town. Samuel Francis continued the business until his eyesight began to fail, 
which finally terminated in total blindness. He purchased the land on which his 
shop was located from Cotton Denio, an early settler here. Next east of his land 
was Winston Day's potashery, consisting of about an acre of land. 

Samuel Francis was a devoted member of St. James' Church, serving both as 
a vestryman and warden for more than fifty years. His death occurred January 
26, 1865, at the ripe age of ninety-two years. 

Two of his sons, Samuel and Wadsworth, gave up their lives in the defense 
of the Union, during the war of 1861-65. 

His daughter, Cornelia, married Nelson Hawley, now deceased, one of Skan- 
eateles' early merchants. Mrs. Hawley now resides with her family at Kenosha, 
Wis., and is a suffering invalid, being totally blind, and suffering from a fall. 
which confines her to her bed, to which she submits with Christian patience, and 
such cheerfulness as is possible under these conditions. " Nearly all the change 
she has from day to day is to be lifted from the bed to her chair. If she could only 
read, it would be such a comfort, and help pass away the time; but it is as it is, 
and so we must accept it." Mrs. Hawley has many warm friends in Skaneateles, 
many of whom are not aware of her sufferings in her advanced years, and will 
receive this intelligence with the deepest sympathy for her. 

Mrs. Hawley has two sons, one of whom, Butler W., was a resident of Texas 
for many years, but is now with his mother. He wrote and had published in the 
Skaneateles Democrat, many years ago, a very interesting description of the 
attractions of the State of Texas for business men. Another son, George F. 
Hawley, is now engaged in the wholesale drug trade in Boston, and has been 
successful. He has a wife and family, and resides in a suburb of Boston. 

Edwards Family. — The following is a transcript from "The Edwards 
Genealogy " : 

Skaneateles' first settler came here in the year 1793. Before the close 
of that century some of the Edwards family came. The first church was the 
Presbyterian, situated on Onondaga Street, on the hill, just east of the village 
corporation. It was dedicated March i, 1809. 

There were fifteen original members, and of them three were Edwards : Solo- 
mon Edwards ; Electa, wife of Thaddeus Edwards ; and Elizabeth, wife of 
Alanson Edwards. Solomon Edwards and family came to Skaneateles the last of 
February, 1809, and thought they were exceedingly fortunate to be here at the 
dedication, as that was a notable event. The Presbyterians occupied that building 
twenty years, then sold it to the Baptist Society, and built the brick church now 
standing on Genesee Street. The first funeral held in it was that of Simeon 
Edwards, in 1830. The first child baptized in it was his grandson, Alexander 
Miller, who was born the day the first paper was published in Skaneateles, July 28, 
1829. 

The first wedding in this house was a double one, and of two of the grand- 



HISTORV Oi- .^iK.,.,i,.-iTELES. 115 

children of Simeon Edwards : Melzer Edwards to Frances Bascom, and Elizabeth 
Edwards to Stephen A. Gifford. 

It is thought the oldest native of Skaneateles now living (1886) is Mrs. 
Evelina Clark, of Marshall, Mich., born September 17, 1805. She was the oldest 
child of Thomas and Minerva (Porter^ Greves. Her husband was Rev. Calvin 
Clark, son of Nathan and Lovisa (Edwards) Clark, of Westhampton. They 
were married in 1835, and went immediately to Marshall. He was prominent in 
the ministry. He died in 1877. 

His brother. Rev. Anson Clark, of West Salem, Wis., resided in that State 
thirty-five years. He quotes to his sons: 

" Tell me not from what stock you grew, 
But prove me your stock by what you do." 

One of the Edwards family, Ebenezer, while living at Northampton, Mass., 
was killed by a falling tree. Some lines were written on his death : only two are 
remembered : 

" Edwards the brave, the generous, and the just. 
By instant fate is leveled to the dust." 

Lydia (Edwards) McKay, born in Skaneateles, November i, 1805, was 
drowned in 1830 by the upsetting of a stage-coach in crossing a stream a short 
distance from her home in Aurora, while on her way to visit friends in Skan- 
eateles. 

Laura Edwards married Alfred Wilkinson, of Skaneateles, August 9, 1832. 
He was born in 1780, and died July 19, 1859. Wilkinson first married Susan 
Smith, daughter of Ephraim Smith, of Skaneateles. 

Another of the Edwards family, Timothy by name, was a grandson of Ebe- 
nezer, killed by the falling of a tree as above mentioned. He like his grandfather 
was killed by a falling tree, not instantly, but he lingered four months and died 
from his injuries. 

David Hall was born September 16, 1744. He married Mary Petty, who died 
aged ninety-four years. David Hall died in Skaneateles, in 1816. 

Ralph Hall was born in Salem, Mass., November i, 1773. He married Abiah, 
daughter of Farnham Hall. They removed to Skaneateles in 1828. Their eldest 
child, Sarah, married Rev. George Dana Boardman, and both went as mission- 
aries to Burmah. She married, second. Rev. Adoniram Judson. She was mother 
of Rev. George D. Boardman, D.D., of Philadelphia, and of Dr. Adoniram and 
Rev. Dr. Edward Judson, New York. Their daughter, Harrictte Hall, married 
Abner Edwards. 

Ralph Hall's father was Ralph Hall, who was born February 27, 171 7. an<I 
died in 1802. He was never in Skaneateles, but lived in Salem, Mass. 

Solomon Edwards lK)Ught the fami on East Lake Road, Skaneateles, lately 
owned by J. Augustus Edwards, his grandson. On this farm five generations 



ii6 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

of the Edwards family have lived. He came to this town in the latter part of the 
last century, and was one of the original members of the Presbyterian Society in 
this town. His daughter, Catharine, born m 1789 and died in 1872, married 
William Hall, of Skaneateles. 

Origin of the Doctors Porter family in Skaneateles. — Lucy Edwards married 
Dr. Samuel Porter, of Williamstown, Mass., who was the son of Dr. Hezekiah 
Porter, of Northampton, Mass., formerly of Farmington, Conn. He married 
Naomi, daughter of Eliphaz Clapp. He married, second, in 1790, Prudence, 
daughter of Josiah Parsons, Jr. ; married, third, Sally Phelps, granddaughter of 
Josiah Parsons, Sr. ; and, fourth, Hetty . 

Their children, all born in Williamstown, Mass., were: 

Dr. Samuel, who died in Skaneateles in 1843, aged sixty-five years. 

James, who married Eliza Vredenburg, of Skaneateles. 

Minerva, married Thomas Greves. 

Lucy, who married Samuel Rhoades. 

Also two other children, named Alanson and Nancy. 

Thaddeus Edwards married Electa Symons in Williamstown, Mass., January 
19, 1767; died in Skaneateles, April 25, 1841. Their adopted children were: 
Fanny Hitchcock, born 1794, died May 24, 1839, and Sereno Clark, born 1790, 
died March 11, 1810. 

Alanson Edwards married Elizabeth ?vIcKay April 26, 1791. She was born 
February 28, 1769, died 1832. 

Their children were : 

Alanson, born 1793; married Lydia Hopkins. 

Thaddeus, born December 10, 1795; married Mary Putnam; married, second, 
1838, Maria Clark, daughter of Nathan and Lovisa (Edwards) Clark. 

Thaddeus came with his father's family in 1798. 

Alonzo, born August 17, 1803; married Abigail Trowbridge, of Skaneateles; 
died in 1849. There were eight other children, names given, but not of interest 
to this history. 

(All the preceding history of families is taken from "The Genealogy of the 
Edwards Family.") 

Thaddeus Edw akds. — Thaddeus Edwards was born in the town of Green- 
field, about six miles from Ballston Springs, December 10, 1795. He came to 
Skaneateles with his father, Alanson, in February, 1798, who purchased the north 
half of Lot No. 38 before he came here. One hundred acres of Lot No. 38 had 
been previously purchased by a Mr. Lee from Nicholas Fish, or, rather, Alanson 
Edwards and Mr. Lee procured their deeds from him. The original owner of 
Lot No. 38 was a young man who purchased from the soldier who drew the lot. 

Alanson Edwards. — Alanson Edwards, the father of Thaddeus. quartered 
for three weeks in the old tavern while he was Iniilding a log house on his lot. 
This house was on the site of where tin- present Jacob Hoagland's garden is 
now. 



HISTORY OF SKAXE.ITEULS. 117 

Bill ok Goods. — The tollowingf is a copy i>t a l>ill of yoods purcliascd \)\ ilic 
late Dr. Samuel Porter: 

Skaneateles, Sept. 25, 1806. 
Sam L' EI, Porter, 

BuLGiiT ut ::.,..i.r.,. .....liA.M. 

£ s. d. 

S'A yds. of calico 2s. 8d.— '4 yd. brown Holland Js. 8d 16 o 

Pair Shears 2s. 2d. — 4 skeins silk 6d 4 2 

Paper pins is. zA.—'A yd. cambric 5s. stick tape is 4 9 

I piece linen 18 yds. is. 8d 1 10 o 

4i4 yds. calico 2s. 8d 12 o 

1 lb. bohea 4s. — i lb. raisins is. 4d S 4 

21/2 yds. linen 3s.— 2;< yds. tow cloth 3s. 8d 16 3 

Sundries for hired man 1 14 6 

I skein of silk 6d.-^i qt. molasses 6s 2 o 

',4 lb. pepper 3s. — ' i lb. all^picL• u 1 d 

Total ' 

Celebr.\tio.\ (,11 Jm>i.1'E.\i>i;.N(. 1: l)A^ in 1835. — National salute was tired at 
sunrise. 

The procession was formed at u A.M. in front of I. W. Perry's Indian Queen 
Hotel, under the direction of a marshal and his assistants. It passed through the 
several streets in the village until it reached the Presbyterian Meeting-House, 
where an oration was delivered to a great crowd of citizens by Benoni Lee, Esq. 
The procession thereafter reformed and returned to the Indian Queen Hotel, 
where a sumptuous dinner was set out, at one dollar a head. The meeting was 
then called to order, and a President, \ice-President, and Secretary were by vote 
appointed, and after that a general good time was enjoyed by all. W'ithout going 
into further detail, the names are here given of the committee of arrangements: 
John Legg George F. Leitch J. R. Wallace 

Samuel Porter Harrison B. Uodge E. D. Murray 

Samuel Jacacks Xoadiah Kellogg J. B. Stillson 

Freeborn G. Jewett Edward O. Gould Charles L. Elliott 

Nelson Hawley James G. Porter John C. Beach 

Lewis H. Sandford James McCray George Francis 

James M. Allen Robert \'an Tine Dorastus Kellogg. 

Charles J. Burnett, Jr. William Legg 

St.ages .\xd St.xge- Drivers. — The following items in relation to stage-coach- 
ing are taken from the " Centennial History of Marccllus,'' written by Israel 
Parsons, M.D., which are as applicable to Skaneateles as Marcellus: 

" Before the time of railmads, the running of stages formed quite an im- 
portant business. These villages along the East and West Road were wonder- 
fully enlivened day by day by the arrival and departure of the stage-coaclies 
<!rawn by four horses. 

" As the stages were descending these hills to enter tlie village, the drivers 
would make the valley reverberate with the music from their tin horns. Thcv 



ii8 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

became amateurs in the art, and vied with each other in the use of the horn. 
Their object in blowing the horn was to notify the drivers at the stables to make 
ready their horses for a change; the landlord, that the meals might be in order 
for the passengers. 

" In those days brakes had not been introduced on the stages, consequently 
they descended the hills with quite a velocity. The horses used were of the first 
quality — athletic, sure-footed, and strong. Each stage weighed twenty-two hun- 
dred pounds, and carried eleven passengers with their baggage, which was 
moderate compared with the individual baggage of the present day. Two coaches 
were run regularly each way every day, besides extras, which were frequent to 
meet the demands of travel. 

" The class of young men who turned their attention to stage-driving were 
natural lovers of horses, and as a result of this became very skilful in the man- 
agement of their horses, taught them many tricks, and to perform feats. Each 
horse had a name, and when called by that name obeyed the mandates of its 
master. The driver's whip was composed of a stalk from four to five feet long, 
to which was attached a lash ten to twelve feet in length, and on the end of the 
lash a nicely braided silk cracker. It was a piece of dexterity to hold the reins 
of four horses, and so wield the whip as to give a smart crack with it; or, in 
coming down one of these hills, to lay the whip upon the top of the stage and 
blow the horn, holding the four reins in one hand, with the horses under full 
speed. 

" These drivers \\ere usually daring men, but very energetic and faithful in 
the performance of their duties. To their good judgment, skill, and tntrgy, 
multitudes have owed the safety of life and limb. 

"Hiram Reed of this village (Marcellus) relates an instance which well dis- 
plays the combination of these qualities in one driver. When a lad at school, in 
Skaneateles, he and a fellow schoolmate, wishing to go to Auburn by stage, 
secured seats outside with the driver. As they were descending the steepest hill 
between the two places, one of the pole-straps broke (two straps leading from the 
front end of the pole to the collars of the wheel-horses, and with which they held 
back the stage). The driver, ready for the emergency, said to Reed and his 
mate, ' Hold on, boys ! ' and at once laid the whip on to his horses, so that they 
went with full speed down the remainder of the hill in perfect safety — passengers, 
coach, and horses unharmed ! Mr. Reed says he never after sought a ride on the 
outside of a stage. The driver secured the safety of the stage through the leaders 
making a constant draft on the pole to which they were directly attached : but 
amidst all confusion he did not forget the boys. 

" Of the large number of stage-drivers who used to drive over these hills, 
and contend with darkness, storm, and tempest, but one is left living among us, 
and that is Adolphus Newton. Much of my information on this subject was 
derived from him. He commenced the arduous duties of stage-driving in 1819, 
when but sixteen years of age, and continued eleven years. Nothing delights him 



HISTORY OF SK.-IXEATELES. «i9 

more at his present age than to sit tiuwn before a good listener, and recount the 
adventures of his youthful years in this department of his life. He says that at 
one period he drove what was called the ' Telegraph.' This was a stage with a 
limited number of passengers, and that carried the mail. It ran eight miles an 
hour when the roads were good. They changed horses every ten miles, but one 
driver went through from Auburn to Manlius, a distance of thirty-three miles. 
He says that, on some special occasions of carrying important personages, 
he made the distance in three hours. Once he had for passengers Guvernor 
Seward and Black Hawk, and drove ten miles in fifty minutes. It was a rule 
to give such men what was called ' extra rides.' Another load consisted of 
General Scott, Governor Marcy, and Martin Van Buren. There were three 
periods during Mr. Newton's driving, when opposition lines were placed upon 
the road ; only one of these proved to be a serious annoyance to the Sherwood 
line. This was what was called the ' Pioneer ' line. It was well stocked with 
first-class horses and fine coaches, but with inexperienced drivers. Fast driving 
became a natural consequence to competition in staging. This proved the value 
of experience in drivers as well as in all other situations of trust connected with 
responsibility. For in making quick time, there is called into requisition good 
judgment in the management of horses, which is based only on successful ex- 
perience, as when to drive fast, when slow, and when to drive moderately. Also 
to the care given to the horses at the end of each route, in feeding, watering, and 
exposure. The result was that the old drivers proved themselves heroes in the 
strife. For although in the frequent racing of stages to which they were subject, 
the Pioneer was fully their equal ; yet soon the new line showed impaired horses, 
the consequence of indiscretion in driving and want of care at the stables; and 
this gave rise to such a monstrous relay of horses, that it finally broke down the 
opposition line. 

■' As ' variety is the spice of life ' and ' competition the life of business,' so in 
this racing of the stages the inhabitants of this whole region were no idle specta- 
tors, but their every day ' humdrum ' life was spiced by the daily news of hair- 
breadth escapes and the Jehu feats of the drivers ; and as in these days, so then 
quick time increased the amount of travel. Stages were entirely removed from 
this route in December, 1838, when the cars were first run by horse-power, and 
this was changed to steam-power in June, 1839. The great stage proprietor, 
whose talents were as celebrated in that day for staging as Commodore Vander- 
bilt's have since been for railroading, was Isaac Sherwood. His residence was 
in Skaneateles, and he is said to have weighed three hundred and eighty pounds. 
His successor was his son, John Milton, who was almost as ponderous as his 
father, and as wonderful a stage proprietor. The stage-fare was five cents a mile, 
so that in the winter season a trip from this place to New York and back cost $30. 
But the people traveled principally in their own conveyances. Riding on horse- 
back was the usual mode of traveling for the first twenty years or more of the 
settlement of the country. Consequently people became very expert in that prac- 



120 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

tise. The old and the young, irrespective of sex, would readily mount their steeds 
and go far and near as occasion required. They used to make extensive journeys 
in that manner. A lady would go from here to Massachusetts or Connecticut, 
and her whole wardrobe would be back of her saddle in a valise. 

'■ Pillions were also in use, so that families whose number of horses were 
limited, or whose horses at times were mostly engaged in the necessary business 
of life, could accommodate themselves by riding two on a horse. These exhibi- 
tions were of daily occurrence. Horses were early trained under the saddle, and, 
being thus in almost daily use, became delightful riding-horses. This was a 
healthy mode of riding. Most long journeys simply for prospecting or visiting 
were made in this way. Mrs. Cody, the grandmother of Hiram Reed, came from 
Massachusetts, some time before the year 1800, alone and on horseback. She 
was a widow, and this was her prospecting tour for a home in this great wilder- 
ness. After reaching this place, she rode around viewing different portions of 
the town, and finally made a purchase of six hundred and forty acres, the north- 
eastern corner of which afterward included what is now Clintonville. 

" Jt must be borne in mind that although a lady was thus journeying through 
an almost uninterrupted forest, without any appointed traveling companions, still 
there was a continuous procession of travelers on the road either emigrating or 
prospecting, so that she was not alone, and although all were strangers to her, 
yet distributed all along among that stretched-out multitude were very many 
mothers and grandmothers in reality, who, as was the nature of society in those 
days, would be interested at any moment in the situation of such a person." 

Tiiic Fjrst Liiii<.\kv. — " Sk.'\neateles Libr.\ry Cgmp.xny." 
We here present a brief history of the old Skancateles Library, with its by- 
laws, names of members, and officers. 

In the book of " Miscellaneous Records " in the Office of the Clerk of ( )non- 
daga County, l!ook P., i)ag-c 15, is to be found the follow ins; certificate: 

" Skanealcles Library. 
"A meeting was held at ]'"lnathan Andrews' Tavern March 2nd, 1806, to 
organize a library under the General Act. Ebenezer Pardee was elected Chair- 
man. Elnathan Andrews, Thaddeus Edwards, Warren Hecox, Samuel Porter, 
Daniel Kellogg, were duly selected to serve as trustees for said library." 

" Copy of Certificate. 
" I, l'"1)cnezer Pardee, elected Chairman of a meeting of the proprietors of the 
Skaneateles Library, holden at the house of Elnathan Andrews, Inn-Keeper in 
the town of Marcellus, in the County of Onoiulaga, and State of New York, on 
the second Tuesday of .March in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Eight Hun- 
dred and Six, being the time and place previously agreed on, and a])]iointed by 
the said proprietors and at which time and place two thirds of the said proprie- 



HISTORY ui SK.iM-.AlELES. 121 

tors had asscnihled ; do certify that the stile, name and Title of the said Corpora- 
tion is the ■ Skaneateles Library ' and that at the aforesaid meeting, Elnathan 
Andrews, Thaddeus Edwards, Warren Hecox, Samuel Porter and Daniel Kellogg, 
were duly elected to serve as Trustees for said Library. 

" L\ Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the eleventh 
(11) day of Marcii, in the year of our Lord. Une Thousand Eight Hundred and 
Six. Ebenezer Pardee. [L. S.] 

Sealed and E.xecuted in presence cf 

Daniel Kellogg, 1 ^ , 

„ J ,, , ' Onondaga Lountv. 

David Hyde, \ ^ 

This is all the record there is in the County Clerk's Office. The following 
are the minutes of the first meeting of these trustees : 

■■ March 20, 1806: At a meeting of the trustees of the Skaneateles Library 
held at the house of Elnathan Andrews in the town of Marcellus, in the County 
of Onondaga on the twentieth day of March, 1806, the following by-laws were 
made for goveniing the Skaneateles Library Company : — 

"Resolved: — ist, That Thaddeus Edwards be the chairman of the said trus- 
tees. 

" 2nd. That Daniel Kellogg be the Treasurer and Librarian of tlie said Com- 
pany. 

" 3rd. That the said Library shall be kept at the office of said Librarian. 

■■ 4th. That a glass watch seal purchased by, and now in the possession of the 
said librarian shall be the common seal of the said company. 

■■ 5th. That all persons who shall become proprietors to the said library after 
the first day of May next, shall at the time of his becoming a proprietor, pay unto 
the treasurer of said library the sum of one dollar, and one dollar semi annually 
thereafter, till he shall pay the farther sum of four dollars. 

" 6th. That after the expiration of two years from the first Tuesday of March 
instant, every proprietor of said library shall pay unto the treasurer of the same, 
the sum of 25 cents annually, the first payment to commence and be made on the 
first Tuesday of March, 1809. 

" 7th. That a quarter annual meeting of the trustees of the said library shall 
be held at the office of the librarian on the first Tuesdays of June, September, 
December and March in every year hereafter. 

" 8th. That a library meeting shall be held at the office of the librarian on the 
first Tuesdays of every month in the year, at four o'clock in the afterncHin of the 
same day for the purpose of drawing books. 

" 9th. That every book belonging to said library shall be returned to the said 
librarian by the hour of every day in the months of June. September. December 
and March, in default whereof the person having previously last drawn the same 
shall pay a fine of twelve and a half cents, and the further sum of six and 3 
quarter cents for every day's detention thereafter. 



122 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

" loth. That it shall not be lawful for any proprietor to lend any book belong- 
ing to said library out of the family in which he or she resides, on pain of forfeit- 
ing the sum of twenty-five cents. 

" nth. That when two or more persons shall wish to draw the same book, at 
the same time, the said book shall be put up at vendue and the proprietor who 
bids the greatest sum shall have the preference of drawing it at that time. 

" I2th. That every proprietor having drawn a book from said library, which 
shall be damaged while it is so drawn, shall pay such fine as shall be assessed by 
the librarian for such damage in case it shall not exceed 25 cents, but if such 
damage shall exceed twenty-five cents then it shall be ascertained by the librarian 
and trustees. 

" 13th. That the sale of every share in the said corporation shall be made at 
the office of the librarian and entered on the book of the said Company by the 
said librarian for which service he shall receive twelve and a half cents. 

" 14th. That the place of meeting of the said corporation shall be at the office 
of the said librarian. 

" 15th. That all fines shall be paid inslanter and that the monies collected by 
fines or otherwise shall be put into the funds of the said company. 

■' March 3, 1807: At a meeting of the members of the Skaneateles Library 
Company held at the office of the Librarian on the first Tuesday of March, 1807, 
the following persons were duly elected; (in conformity of law) to serve as 
Trustees for said Company the ensuing year, to wit, Thaddeus Edwards, Warren 
Hecox, Elnathan Andrews, William Thomas and Daniel Kellogg. 

"At a meeting of the Skaneateles Library held at the time and place above 
mentioned, Thaddeus Edwards was appointed chairman of the said trustees. 

Attest, Daniel Kellogg, Librarian. 

"March i, 1808: At a meeting of the members of the Skaneateles Library 
Company held at the place above mentioned on the first Tuesday of March, 
1808. The following persons w-ere duly elected to serve as trustees for the said 
Company the ensuing year, viz.: Elnathan Andrews, Warren Hecox, Thaddeus 
Edwards, Sylvester Roberts, Daniel Kellogg. At the same time and place Elna- 
than Andrews was appointed Chairman by the said Trustees. 

Attest, Daniel Kellogg, Librarian. 

"Ordered, that the 'Fool of Quality' being No. 16, 17, 18 be sold, and also 
' The Life of Baron Trenck.' being No. 12, which was done for two dollars and 
fifty-six cents. 

" March 7, 1809 : At a meeting of the members of the Skaneateles Library 
Company held at the office of the librarian on the first Tuesday of March, 1809, 
the following persons were duly elected to serve as Trustees for the said Company 
the ensuing year, viz. : Amasa Sessions, Joshua Chandler, Joseph Leonard, Thomas 
Greves, Simon Hosmer. At the same time and place Amasa Sessions was 
appointed Chairman by the said trustees. 

Attest, Daniel Kellogg, Librarian." 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 123 

Sotc. — All the foregoing is copied verbatim from the original manuscript, 
and it is in the handwriting of the late Daniel Kellogg. 

Without transcribing the preambles of the annual meetings, all of which are 
about the same tenor, it will be sufficient to copy the names of the trustees elected 
each recurring year: 

"March 6, 1810: Aniasa Sessions, Jos. Chandler, Joseph Leonard, Thomas 
Greves and Simon Hosmer, Jr. At the same time and place Amasa Sessions was 
appointed Chairman by the said trustees. 

Attest,. Daniel Kellogg, Librarian. 

"March 5, 181 1: Simeon Hosmer, Amasa Sessions, Thomas Greves, Thad- 
deus Edwards and Jeduthan Lamb. Simeon Hosmer, chairman. 

Attest, Daniel Kellogg, Librarian. 

■' March 3, 1812 : Simeon Hosmer, Amasa Sessions, Thomas Greves, Thad- 
deus Edwards and Jeduthan Lamb. Simeon Hosmer, chairman. 

Attest, Daniel Kellogg, Librarian. 

"March 2, 1813: Simeon Hosmer, Amasa Sessions, Thomas Greves, Thad- 
deus Edwards, and Warren Hecox. Amasa Sessions, chairman. 

Attest, Daniel Kellogg, Librarian. 

"March i, 1814: Simeon Hosmer, Phares Gould, Thomas Greves, Joshua 
Chandler and Amasa Sessions. Simeon Hosmer, chairman. 

Attest, Daniel Kellogg, Librarian. 
"March 7, 1815: Amasa Sessions, Simeon Hosmer, Thaddeus Edwards, 
Phares Gould, Joshua Chandler. Simeon Hosmer, chairman. 

Attest, Daniel Kellogg, Librarian. 

■ ^L1rch 5, 1816: Amasa Sessions, Simeon Hosmer, Warren Hecox, Phares 
Gould and Thomas Greves. Simeon Hosmer, chairman. 

Attest, Daniel Kellogg, Librarian. 

" Alarch 5, 1816: At a meeting of the trustees of the Skaneateles Library, 
held at the office of the librarian in the village of Skaneateles, and county of 
Onondaga on the first Tuesday of March, 1816, Alexander ^L Beebe, Esq., was 
appointed treasurer and librarian of the said library in place of Daniel Kellogg, 
resigned. 

" It was resolved by the said trustees that a watch seal owned by the said 
Alexander should be the common seal of the company ; and that the said library 
should be kept at the office of the said Alexander in the village of Skaneateles, 
and that all future library meetings shall be held at the office of the said Alexan- 
der, and that all former bye laws heretofore made, which are inconsistent with 
the preceding resolutions, be repealed. 

" Resolved, that in case an election of the officers of this society should not 
be made at the annual mi^ttiriL' nniviilcil l>v the bye laws, the said election may 



124 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

be held and made at any time within a month after the day of holding the annual 
library meeting." 

Note. — It will be observed from the above proceedings, that Daniel Kellogg 
held the office of Librarian and Treasurer ten years, and the minutest details 
of receipts and expenditures are embodied in his accounts. 

The first item is the receipt of $36.14 " from former treasurer," dated }\Iarch 
20, 1806. It would seem from this entry that the library had been commenced 
before it was formally incorporated. During Daniel Kellogg's administration 
as treasurer he received $231.20 from subscribers, and $19.12 from fines mostly. 
some small items from vendues from sales of books. These receipts were mostly 
expended in the purchase of books, postage, and transportation. There were no 
other expenses. The librarian, who had charge of the library, was the only 
active agent, and gave his services gratuitously. 

"March 5, 1817: Trustees elected: Simeon Hosmer, Phares Gould, Amasa 
Sessions, Warren Hecox, and Thomas Greves. Simeon Hosmer, chairman. 

Attest, Alex. M. Beebe, Librarian. 

"March 3, 1818: Trustees elected: Simeon Hosmer, Phares Gould, Aniasa 
Sessions, Warren Hecox, Thomas Greves. Phares Gould, chairman. 

Attest, Alex. M. Beebe, Librarian. 

"March 2, 1819: Trustees elected: Thaddeus Edwards, Phares Gould, 
Aiuasa Sessions, Warren Hecox, Thomas Greves. Thaddeus Edwards, chair- 
man. Attest, Alex. M. Beebe, Librarian." 

March 7, 1820, same trustees reelected. 

March 6, 1821, same trustees reelected. 

March 5, 1822, same trustees reelected. 

Alexander 1\I. Beebe held the office five years, during which time he received 
$86.36 balance from former librarian, and $94 in subscriptions and Si 2.94 in 
fines from members of the library, having received in all Si 1)3. 30, which was 
chiefly expended in the purchase of books. 

"March 2, 1824: Trustees elected: William Gibbs, Spencer Parsons, Warren 
Hecox, Stephen Horton, Freeborn G. Jewett. Warren Hecox, chairman. .\t this 
meeting Phares Gould was duly elected treasurer and librarian. 

" March i, 1825 : Meeting held at the store of Phares Gould. Trustees elected : 
William Gibbs, John S. Furman, Stephen Horton, Warren Hecox, Freeborn G. 
Jewett. John S. Furman, chairman. .Attest, Ph.-\kes Gould, Librarian. 

" March 7. 1826: Trustees elected: William Gibbs, John S. Furman. ^^'arren 
Hecox, Thomas Greves, Stephen Horton. C"ol. W'arren Hecox, chairman. 

Attest, Phares Gould, Librarian. 
"March 22, 1827: Trustees elected: William Gibbs. David Hall, John I.egg, 
ireves, chairman. 
Attest, Phares Gould, Librarian. 



H/STORV OF SKANEATELES. uS 

■ .Marcli 4. 1828: Trustees elected: Warren Hecox, Thomas Greves, Spencer 
Parsons. Stephen Horton, John S. Furnian. Warren Hecox, chainiian. 

Attest, Phares Gould, Librarian. 

■■ March 3, 1829: Trustees elected: Warren Hecox, Thomas Greves, Spencer 
Parsuns, Pliil.i DiMik-, William Gibbs. Thos. Greves, chairman. 

Attest, Ph.\res Goui.n, Librarian. 

• .Maii:li J. ii^i. iiu>tLi> liccied: Warren Hecox, Thomas Greves, Samuel 
Porter, Philo Dibble, John S. Furman. Thomas Greves, chairman. 

Attest, PiiARES Gould, Librarian. 

"March 10, 1830 : At a meeting of the Trustees of the Skaneateles Library 
Company, held at the store of Phares Gould on the loth day of March, 1830. 

■■ Resolved, That any person not a proprietor in said library shall be allowed 
the reading of the books of said library uniUr tin- following rules an. I r.iriila- 
tions, viz. : 

■■ Rule 1st. Such persons shall give security, if required by the lilirarian, for 
the safe return of all books drawn by him, for the payment of all damages done 
to books of said library while in his possession, for fines for nqt returning the 
same on the quarterly return days and for the payment of the whole set if one or 
more volumes of any work shall be lost or destroyed while drawn out by same 
person. 

■' Rule 2nd. Such persons shall pay in advance to the librarian one dollar per 
year and in the same proportion for any time not less than three months. Or 
six cents for the use of each volume. 

" Rule 3rd. Such persons shall be subject to all other rules and bye laws of 
said library to which the proprietors are, except the payment of the annual tax. 

" Rule 4th. Such person after a compliance with rules ist and 2nd shall be 
entitled to draw one volume at a time semi-monthly. 

" Rule 5th. Xo person whether proprietor or not shall be allowed to draw 
books from said library as any fines, damages or annual takes remain unpaid. 
Any one drawing by the single volume only shall return the same semi-monthly. 

Pfiares Gould, Librarian." 

March 29, 183 1, same trustees reelected, same chairman. 

.March 2^, 1832, same officers elected, except that Stephen Horton was elected 
in place of Samuel Porter. Warren Hecox was chairman. 

" At the above meeting a majority of the above trustees appointed a com- 
mittee of three, consisting of Warren Hecox. John S. Furman and Phares Gould 
to select not less than seventy-five Iwoks belonging to the above library and sell 
them at j)ul)lic auction to the highest bidder and the proceeds to be expcnde<I 



126 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

by the librarian in the purchase of new books. And that said books be sold 
within two weeks from this date. Warren Hecox, Chairman. 

Attest, Phares Gould, Librarian. 

" March 5, 1833 : Trustees elected at the store of Phares Gould, librarian, 
March 5th, 1833: John S. Furman, Warren Hecox, Philo Dibble, William Gibbs 
and John Legg. John Legg, chairman. Attest, Phares Gould, Librarian. 

"December 4, 1834: James G. Porter was duly elected librarian and the fol- 
lowing were elected trustees to serve to the first Tuesday of March, 1835 : Wil- 
liam Gibbs, Spencer Parsons, Phares Gould, Philo Dibble and John S. Furman. 
William Gibbs, chairman. 

" Resolved, That the said library shall be kept at the store of the said James 
G. Porter in the village of Skaneateles and that all future library meetings shall 
be held at the store of the said James, and that all former bye laws inconsistent 
with this resolution be and are hereby repealed. 

Attest, Phares Gould, Librarian." 

March 3, 1835, same trustees reelected. 

" November 12, 1835 : At a meeting of the trustees of the Skaneateles liljrary 
on Friday, November 12, 1835. Present, Messrs. Phares Gould, John Legg and 
Spencer Parsons. 

" J. G. Porter resigned the office of librarian and treasurer. 

"March 2, 1836: Trustees elected by ballot: Phares Gould, Spencer Par- 
sons, Philo Dibble, David Hall and Warren Hecox. David Hall, chairman. 

" Resolved, That all members in arrears for annual dues shall have the privi- 
lege of drawing books by paying one dollar into the treasury. 

Attest, E. H. Porter, Librarian. 

" Resolved, That the librarian purchase a book case for the Skaneateles 
Library at the cost of twelve dollars. 

" March 7, 1837: Meeting held at the office of E. H. Porter on the first Tues- 
day in March, 1837. The following trustees were elected by ballot: Phares 
Gould, Spencer Parsons, Silas Gaylord, David Hall. Warren Hecox, chairman. 

Attest, E. H. Porter, Librarian." 

The above is the last recorded election of trustees. The Librarian E. H. 
Porter's accounts continued until August 23, 1841, at which time the library 
company owed him $13.04 balance. Therefore, it may be inferred that the old 
library dissolved at that date, after having been in existence thirty-five years. 

The manuscript catalogue contains the names of 398 volumes. These were 
the first books purchased. The accounts of the various librarians contain the 
names of books purchased during their respective terms of office which are not 
included in the original. 

The only periodical was the North American Reviczv. published monthly. 
This was first introduced into the library while Phares Gould was librarian. 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



127 



The entr)' is as follows: "Jan. 14, 1826, cash sent by X. Thome to subscribe 
for ' North American Review,' $5.00." This subscription was continued until 
the library collapsed in 1841. 

The following are the names of the subscribers who joined during tlie exist- 
ence of the library : 



Allis, Thomas \\'. 

Andrews, Elnatlian 

Austin, Aaron 

Bacon, Milton 

Baker, Joshua 

Ballamy, Samuel 

Bascomb, Silas 

Bates, C. 

Beebee, Alexander M. 

Belding, Silas 

Booth, Zalmon 

Briggs, Daniel 

Burnett, C. J. 

Burnett, John J. 

Burnett, Stephen 

Burroughs, Daniel 

Burroughs, William 

Campbell, Olden 

Carpenter, Isaac 

Chandler, Joshua 

Clarke, Joseph T. 

Colvin, David S. 

Cook, (widow) 

Cook, William 

Cotton, Owen 

Cotton, Willard 

Cuddeback, James 

Dcmming, Davis 

Dennison, Elias 

Dibble, Philo 

Earll, Abijah 

Earll. Watson 

Edwards, Alanson 

Edwards, Alanson, Jr. 

Edwards, Ebcnezer 

Edwards, Electa ( widow ")Martin, Joseph 

Edwards, Solomon McDonald, Lesley 

Edwards, Thaddeus McMillen, (widow) 



Eells, Horace 
Eells, Nathaniel 
Eldridge, N. B. 
Furman, John S. 
Gaylord, Silas 
Gibbs, William 
Gould, Phares 
Green, W. H. 
Greves, Thomas 
Hall, David 
Hall. David. Jr. 
Hall, Jabez 
Hecox, Ambrose 
Hecox, Cyrus 
Hecox, Samuel 
Hecox, Warren 
Horton, Laura 
Horton, Stephen 
Hosmer, Samuel, 
Hosmer, Simeon 
Jewett, F. G. 
July, Solomon 
Keeler, Allen 
Kellogg, Daniel 
Kellogg, Samuel 
Kneeland, Asa 
Lamb, Jeduthan 
Legg, John 
Legg, Otis 
Leitch, Geo. F. 
Leonard, Joseph 
Leonard, Norman 
Loss, Moses 
Ludlow, Edward G 
Manlev. Willis 



Jr. 



Merrell, (widow) 
Miller, Nathaniel 
Newell, Stephen 
Pardee, (widow) 
Pardee, Ebenezer 
Pardee, John 
Parsons, Spencer 
Perry, George 
Peterson, John 
Phelps, A. D. 
Phelps, Thomas B. 
Pierce, Samuel 
Porter, Samuel 
Putnam, Perley 
Rathbone, H. H. 
Rathbone, James 
Rathbone, Saxton 
Rice, Rev. Benjamin 
Roberts, Sylvester 
Seeley, Solomon 
Secley, William 
Sessions, Amasa 
Sessions, Ebenezer 
Sherwood, John M. 
Stephens, A. S. 
Swift, Nathaniel 
Thomas, William 
Valleau, John 
Van Buren, Philip 
Watson, Isaac. 
Weller. A. 
Weston, Jonathan 
Wightman, Allen 
Wightman, James 
Wilkinson. Alfred 
Willctts. C. J. 
Willetts, Charles 
Willetts, Jacob 



128 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

AIerchants and Mechanics here in the Year 1828. 

J. M. Allen, tavern-keeper. 

George Arnold, painter. 

Robert J. Baker, tailor. 

R'ufus Billings, painter. 

William Blood, carpenter. 

J. H. Colvin. 

Howard Delano, machinist : made the clock of St. James' Church. 

M. De Mott, young lawyer. 

Elias Dennison, farmer and laborer. 

Philo Dibble, harness and saddlery. 

J. B. Ford, painter. 

Samuel Francis, hat manufacturer. 

Phares Gould, general store. 

John Greeves, tailor. 

David Hall, general store. 

Ralph Hall, carpenter. 

Ambrose Hecox, blind-maker and chair manufacturer. 

Warren Hecox, shoemaker and tanner. 

J. B. Hopkins, physician. 

Stephen Horton, came from Alarcellus ; a hatter when he first came. 

Aaron B. Keeler, tavern-keeper, before Compton. 

Noadiah Kellogg, saddler and harness. 

Jcdutha Newton, worked in Winston Day's still. 

Spencer Parsons, cabinet-maker. 

Isaac W. Perry, tavern-keeper. 

Ellsworth Phelps, built the first organ in St. James" Church. 

L. A. Pratt, editor Culiuiibiaii. 

J. Sharp, mason. 

Nehemiah Smith, tinner. 

Nicholas Thorne, farmer and dealer in horses (Root place). 

Miss S. Watson, school-teacher. 

Richard Windsor, carpenter. 

Blood & Root, contractors to build St. James" Church. 

Burnett & Rhoades (Charles J. Burnett and S. Porter Rhoades), general store. 

Gihbs & Burnett (William Gibbs and Charles J. Burnett), general store. 

Oakley & Trowbridge, cabinet-niakers. 

Picket & Stearns, masons. 

Porter & Pardee (James Porter and Charles Pardee), general store. 

]\)rter & Wolcott (J. Gurdon Porter and B. S. Wolcott), general store. 

Setli & James Hall, carriage manufacturers. 



HISTORY OF SKASEATELES. n'j 

James Sackett. — James Sackett was a remarkable character in his time. It 
is said that he came to Skaneateles with about forty tliousand dollars, and, being 
a bachelor, lived a life of leisure. His residence, which he purchased of John 
Briggs, still stands, in a remodeled fonn, near the lake-shore, west of the bridge 
in the village (now the Frederick Shear place). Irritable and profane, he was 
Isaac Sherwood's equal, and for several years occasionally moved his barn to and 
from in front of Sherwood's taveni. On one occasion, it is said, he tore a chim- 
ney down to get a cricket out. James Sackett afterward removed to Syracuse 
and became a large landowner there. In a foot-note of the " Onondaga Cen- 
tennial " is the following description of James Sackett: 

■' Mr. Sackett was a very peculiar and eccentric bachelor. His tastes in dress 
were ver\- singular, and he often wore a frock coat reaching mostly to his heels, 
a wide-brimmed hat with a veil over his face. He usually traveled about in a 
dilapidated sulky, with a top patched up in varied colors. When he was on foot, 
he carried a large umbrella, with a white patch on top. When he was ready to 
build on his properly, he contracted for a house twenty-two by forty feet in size. 
As the contractor did not come and build as agreed, Sackett bargained with 
another man to do the same work, and the structure was immediately erected. 
Before it was finished, the first contractor came with timbers, etc., for the per- 
formance of his contract. Although Mr. Sackett was not bound to fulfil his 
agreement with this man, he said to him, ' Here, put it up at the end of this 
one.' Of course he then had a house twenty-two by eighty feet. With all his 
peculiarities he was a well-disposed person, correct and prompt in business mat- 
ters. At his death jiis estate was worth $150,000. A part of his estate was 
land embracing and surrounding the site of the Cathedral. This land, or a part 
of it, was covered with a pleasant grove, the possession of which greatly de- 
lighted Mr. Sackett. One morning he arose to find nothing left of it but the 
stumps of the trees, which had been mostly sawed oflF and marked with white 
chalk. The afflicted owner made desperate efforts to learn who among his 
enemies did the deed, but he never succeeded." 

Fref.corx G. Jewett. — A deed was given by Winston Day and Thankful, 
his wife, to Freeborn G. Jewett, February 20, 1822, consideration $2,500, for 
part of Lot No. 36, bounded and described, in part, as follows: " Beginning at 
the southeast corner of Skaneateles Village lots, number one, laid out at the north 
end of the Skaneateles Lake, said lots containing about one acre each, thence 
easterly along the north line of the old road leading east and west through the 
village of Skaneateles." (Not necessary to give chains and links further.) 
This piece of land consisted of two acres and sixty-six hundredths of an acre. 
Also an additional piece of land adjoining, contents not given. 

Another deed was given by Charles J. Burnett and wife to Freeborn G. 
Jewett, April 12, 1820. consideration $250, for part of Lot No. 36, " Beginning 
in the center of the highway, leading north from the village of Skaneateles by 
General Robert Earll's, at the northwest corner of land owned by Winston Day, 



130 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

thence by courses, chains, and links [not necessary to repeat here], containing 
three acres of land." 

Freeborn G. Jewett first came to Skaneateles about 1817. 

Seth & James Hali/s Carriage-Shop. — The carriage-shop of Seth & James 
Hall originally included the present dwelling-houses owned by William F. Gregory 
and Mr. Herbert Sweet. The shop was a long frame building on the west side of 
Onondaga Street. James Hydon afterward purchased this shop, and from it con- 
structed the present dwelling-houses occupied by Mrs. William Gregory and Mr. 
Sweet. They then removed their carriage-shop to a frame building at the corner 
of Jordan and Genesee streets, on the site of the post-office. Some years after- 
ward this firm built and owned the stone building now owned and occupied by 
T. Kelley for an extensive carriage and sleigh factory. At the same time they 
built the long house for the accommodation of their workmen. After the death 
of Seth Hall, Captain James Hall continued in the same line of manufacturing, 
on the shore of the lake, in the rear of the frame store now owned by Miss De 
Land. Captain James Hall was a man of unexceptionable business ability, which 
he turned to good account, not only to his own interest, but for many others who 
sought his counsel and advice in matters of business importance. He died in the 
year 1857, aged sixty-five years, highly respected by all the people of this town. 
Seth Hall came to this town October 23, 1806, and died in 1833. 

Skaneateles Business Men in 1830. 

Wolcott & Porter (J. Gurdon Porter) were dealers in lumber. 

John AVetmore, barber. 

Daniel Talcott, Skaneateles furnace. 

James Miller, barber, Skaneateles Hotel. 

J. H. Benedict, watch repairing, jewelry, and cash paid for old silver. Next 

door to R. Talcott's dry-goods store. 
R. Talcott, dry-goods and general store. 
Dibble & Miller, harness and saddlery. 
A. Douglass & J. S. Furman, threshing machines. 
I. W. Perry, general store, opposite Skaneateles Hotel. 
Burnett & Rhoades, general store. 
Phares Gould, general store. 

Ansel Frost & Co. (Arthur Mott), Mottville furnace. 
R. A. Hicks, merchant tailor. 
Spencer Parsons, furniture. 

Talcott & Gridley (R. Talcott and Martin Gridley). 
Talcott & Allis, potashery. House ashes wanted. Store jiay. 
C. J. Burnett, Jr., books and stationery. 
Porter & Pardee, general store, and marble for gravestones. Had a shop 

and a first-rate workman to cut lettering on gravestones. 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



CHAPTER X. 
Early Burial-Places and General History. 

Earliest Burial-Place. — The earliest burial-place in this town was situated 
in a loamy piece of ground on the land belonging to Samuel Briggs, which ran 
along a pathway through the forest. This pathway started from the nucleus of 
log houses in the vicinity of what has since been known as the " Red House." 
passed through the forest, and extended to Hardenburgh's Corners, now the city of 
Auburn. This pathway through the forest has continued ever since, and is now 
what is known as " The North Road to Auburn." 

The Second Burial-Place. — The second burial-place was located within the 
bounds of where the village is now located. It was on the high ground where the 
Vredenburg mansion was afterward erected in 1803-6. Burials were made up to 
1803, when \redenburg purchased the land. There were at that period about 
sixteen graves (no headstones), which were removed to John Briggs' farm, which 
was afterward purchased by " The Skaneateles Religious Society," which was the 
first religious organization in the village. 

The origin of this burial-place was as follows: The land and surrounding 
farm belonged to John Briggs in the beginning of the present century, and he, as 
many farmers do at present, buried his own kindred on his own land. His wife 
was interred there in 1802. The remains of about sixteen persons were taken up 
from a burial-ground then situated on what is now known as the Lcitch place. 
that land having been previously purchased by William J. Vredenburg, on which 
he intended to erect a dwelling. These remains were deposited in the private 
ground of John Briggs. From that time forward that ground was used very gen- 
erally by the early settlers for the burial of their dead. 

" The Skaneateles Religious Society," the only incorporated society in this 
place, was organized October 29, 1801. This society entered into a contract with 
John Briggs, on the 5th of March, 1808, for the purchase of his burial-ground. 
The consideration named in the contract was twenty-five dollars for half an acre 
of ground, to be paid on the delivery of a good warrantee deed in fee simple. 
The deed was not executed until May 30, 181 2, and the consideration named 
therein was thirty-two dollars and thirty cents. This deed was recorded in the 
Clerk's Office of Onondaga County, in Liber SS of deeds, folio 181. An addi- 
tional half-acre adjoining on the south was purchased at the same time from 
David Seymour and Martha his wife, the deed of which was dated January 27, 
1812; consideration, $20. This was recorded at the same time. . 

It will be observed from the above statement that the Skaneateles Religious 
Society paid $52.50 for one acre of land, which at the time specified. 181 2, was 



132 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

above its value for farm-land. This was used by the inhabitants in this vicinity 
as a general burial-place until about the year 1847, when F. G. Jewett and Charles 
Pardee purchased one and one-eighth acres adjoining on the north and east, and 
laid out the same for a cemetery. The Skaneateles Religious Society did not sell 
any lots in its ground, as it did not possess the authority to convey the title, but 
the burials were merely permissive, the Society retaining the title and control of 
it. It has been at different time's in the care and under the direction of various 
individuals, the first of whom was Jonathan Weston, the sexton of the Society, 
who was succeeded by his son, Josiah Weston, who was followed by Columbus 
Weston and by C. Pardee. 

All the early inhabitants, the original settlers hereabout, buried their dead 
there, or on their farms, and afterward removed the remains to " God's Acre." 

That Acre is now filled to overflowing with human bones. The original sex- 
ton, when it belonged to the Skaneateles Religious Society, was Jonathan Weston, 
who was succeeded by Josiah Weston. After his death, Columbus Weston 
was sexton, and even in his day he used to say that there was not a square foot 
of that ground, when opened with a spade, but what contained human bones. 
The first settlers placed no gravestones over their dead, as such memorials were 
very expensive in early times ; but there is one over the grave of Polly, wife of 
John Briggs, who died in 1802. The stone over her grave is a peculiar quality of 
white marble, and only finished on one side. The gravestone over Polly Briggs' 
grave was not erected until about 1822. No headstones had been erected previ- 
ously, but the monuments over the graves of William J. Vredenburg and of 
Daniel Ludlow were the first monuments placed in this old burial-ground. Both 
were sent here from the City of New York. 

As an instance of the demand for space in that old " Acre," a gentleman stated 
to the writer that many years ago, and during the sextonship of Columbus Weston, 
a person came here to have the remains of a relative who had died two years 
previously removed to his home. The sexton was puzzled to recollect where the 
interment was made. Finally he remembered a certain grave where three coffins 
were buried, and, when opened, he found that the middle coffin contained the 
coveted remains. If it was necessary at that early period to place three coffins in 
a single grave, it shows conclusively that the " Acre " was about filled up. Ever 
since the time of Sexton Weston, this old and well-filled " God's Acre" has been 
graded over and over again, and lots have been sold and burials made over those 
old bones. And strange to say, although the Acre belonged to the Presbyterian 
Society, it did not, and had not the power to, sell nor give title to a foot of that 
ground to any individual. Other persons assumed to take full charge of the 
ground, and to sell lots and graves, and to retain the money received therefrom 
for their own use. 

It was in the year 1830 that the remains of Abraham Cuddeback and his wife 
were removed from the farm of his son, Abraham A. Cuddeback, to " God's 
.A.cre," and the gravestone now over their graves, the earliest dated stone now in 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. i33 

the cemetery, was erected in 1830. These were the father and motlier of our first 
settler. Both were far advanced in years, and died within two years of each 
other. 

As pertinent to the subject under discussion, the following is appropriate: 

A Hu.NDRED Years Ago. 

Where, where are all the birds that sang 

A hundred years ago? 
The flowers that all in beauty sprang 
A hundred years ago? 
The lips that smiled. 
The eyes that, wild 
In flashes, shone 
Soft eyes upon— 
Where, oh, where are lips and eyes, 
The maiden's smiles, the lover's sighs. 
That lived so long ago? 

Who peopled all the streets 

A hundred years ago? 
Who filled the church with faces meek 
A hundred years ago? 
The sneering tale 
Of sister frail — 
The plot that worked 
A brother's hurt — 
Where, oh, where are plots and sneers, 
The poor man's hopes, the rich man's fears, 
That lived so long ago? 

Where are the graves where dead men slept 

A hundred years ago? 
Who were they that, living, wept 
A hundred years ago? 
By other men 
Who knew not them 
Their lands are tilled. 
Their graves arc filled. 
Yet Nature then was just as gay. 
And bright the sun shone as to-day, 
A hundred years ago I 

The Mott\'ille Burying-Ground. — The Mottvillc Burying-Ground was 
opened for burial purposes about the year 1819, at which time all the human re- 
mains which had been interred in the Sam Briggs land, on the pathway through 
the forest, were removed to the Mottvillc Burying-Ground. 

The Succeeding Buri.m.-Ground in the Vill.vge of Sk.\ni:.\tei.es.-— 
Charles Pardee and Freeborn G. Jewett, August 21, 1846, purchased from James 
Cannings Fuller one and twclve-hundredths acres of land, adjoining the Acre be- 



134 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

longing to the Presbyterian Society, for cemetery purposes. Consideration paid, 
$392. This piece of land was laid out as a cemetery into two hundred and 
twenty-four lots, each measuring ten by sixteen feet. These with the necessary 
paths and avenues comprised the whole land. Under these conditions each of the 
two hundred and twenty-four lots cost one dollar and seventy-five cents. They 
were originally sold at ten dollars each, and no lots were sold at a higher rate 
during the lifetime of F. G. Jewett. It was only after his decease, in 1858, that 
the prices of lots were very materially advanced ; in fact, doubled. 

Various Items of Early History. — Phares Gould, an early merchant, was 
Treasurer of Onondaga County in 1845, ^"^ was Member of Assembly in 1838, 
1839, and 1840. 

William Fuller was Member of Assembly in 1842. 

Horace Hazen was Member of Assembly in 1848. 

Piatt Wikes occupied a store next to Day & Sherwood, May 5, 1806. This is 
the only mention of his name in the records of the town. 

Doctor Samuel Benedict was here in 1806, and lived on the site of the late 
Jessee Simmons place. His nephew, Peter Benedict, was killed at Black Rock by 
the British in the War of 1812. 

Asa Bacon was here in 1806. He was a tanner and shoemaker. He built 
the Louisa Pomeroy house, on West Genesee Street, which was on the site of the 
present L. D. Hall place. 

Amos Bacon, brother-in-law of Colonel Warren Hecox, was a shoemaker 
here in 1817. 

Alexander M. Beebe practised law here in 1822. 

Briggs & Hall (Isaac Briggs and David Hall) had a general store in Skane- 
ateles in 1815. 

Silas Belding was gatekeeper near the late Jacob Allen's in 181 5. 

Henry Danforth was a merchant here in 1806, on the corner where the Lake 
House was afterward built. He succeeded Winston Day on that location. Dan- 
forth afterward went to Pittsburg, Pa. 

William H. Sandford was a merchant in Skaneatcles, March 4, 1816. 

Booth & Ingham, merchants, here in 1811. 

Mortgage sale at the house of David H. Griswold, Skaiieateles, November 30, 
1816. Porter & Jewett were the attorneys. 

St. James' Church. — January 4, 1816, the following represented St. James' 
Church : 

Rev. William A. Clark, Missionary; Jonathan Booth, Charles J. Burnett, 
Wardens; Edward G. Ludlow, John W. Livingston, Zalmon Booth, Stephen 
Horton, John Pierson, John How, Samuel Francis, and William Gibbs, Vestrymen. 

In 1824, the following were officers of St. James' Church: 

Augustus L. Converse, Missionary; Jonathan Booth, Warden; John Davids, 
John Parsons, Charles Pardee, John W. Livingston, and Elijah S. Rust, Vestry- 



HISTORY OF SKASEATELES. 135 

Business Men in 1841. — The following persons were engaged in business 
here in 184 1 : 

B. C. M. Tucker, cabinet-maker, Hecox Block. 

Mellen & Pendleton (Lucius Mellcn and Charles Pendleton). 

Brickerhot? & Porter, general store. 

Hall. Porter & Co. (James Hall, J. Gurdon Porter, and David Hall 2d). 

N. Hawley & Co., general store. 

Ansel Frost, Mottville flour-mill. 

E. A. Sessions, saddler and harness-maker. 

James Cannings Fuller. 

S. Little, recess, grocery, and meat market. 

A Sensational Burglary in Skaneateles. — During the month of Decem- 
ber, 1839, the dwelling-house of the late George F. Leitch was entered at night 
by burglars, and robbed of jewelry, watches, silk dresses, and other valuables. 
The robbery soon excited all the dwellers throughout the village. Immediately 
outriders were ordered by Mr. Leitch over all the roads in every direction, and 
notifications were sent to the authorities of Syracuse, Auburn, and Homer, and 
all surrounding places. There being no telegraphs, telephones, or other modern 
facilities in those early days, therefore horseback riders were the only available 
mode of publication. Large rewards were offered, and minute descriptions of 
the property stolen were forwarded to all the cities and villages throughout this 
section of the State. 

The Village Trustees held a special meeting, on January 4, 1840, and at once 
ordered a night-watch. The Trustees appointed a number of brave and heroic 
men, who were armed with muskets and bayonets, and who thereafter paraded the 
streets night after night for a long period of time, until the excitement cooled 
off. The burglars were never captured nor the property recovered. 

Akcmiuald Farr. — One of the earliest physicians who practised among the 
early settlers all around this section of the State was Dr. Archibald Farr. He 
made all his purchases here in this settlement. He finally located himself on Mili- 
tary Lot Xo. XI, then Marcellus. He came here in March, 1803. He was the first 
practising physician in that section of Marcellus. He kept the first tavern in 
1808, and the same year he erected the first grist-mill. Military Lot No. 11 was 
in the town of SpafFord. It is stated that no lawyer ever located in that town. 

Chester Parsons. — Chester Parsons was born in West Hampton, Mass., 
January, 1791, and moved to Skaneateles in the month of February, 1822. He pur- 
chased his farm in 1821 from Judah Pierce, who was known in early times as 
Major Pierce. At that time, Colonel Livingston, United States Marshal of Xortli- 
em New York, occupied the place now owned by David Waldron, formerly the 
Dyer Brainerd place. Thaddeus Edwards lived on the Gale or Ellery farm. 
Gibbs & Horton, Pharcs Gould, and Winston Day were the merchants in the vil- 
lage. Colonel Bellamy sold his farm to Captain Lee the same year. Captain Lee 
built his first sail-boat, or commenced it, the same year. It was an open boat, ar- 



136 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

ranged with air-tight tanks as precautions for safety in case of disaster. The 
post-office was where the Episcopal church is now, and C. J. Burnett was Post- 
master. Rev. Mr. Stockton preached at the Presbyterian church, opposite the 
present Pardee place. He did not stay very long after that time. Rev. Alexan- 
der Cowen was the next preacher. A school was kept in the brick schoolhouse 
across the bridge in 1822, and another on the hill near the meeting-house. 

Mr. Dascomb was the keeper of the tavern on the site now occupied by the 
Savings-Bank. Sherwood kept the old tavern where the Packwood House is now. 
Sackett lived in the house now occupied by F. Shear. Alanson Edwards kept the 
tavern which was then on the corner of East Genesee Street and the East Lake 
Road, and his son Thaddeus attended the bar. This tavern was afterward de- 
stroyed by fire, but never rebuilt. Ebenezer Sessions lived south of Mr. Parsons', 
near the small stream of water, in a house painted red. Deacon Amasa Session 
lived on what is known as the Bradford place. John Legg had his blacksmith-shop 
on the Dr. Bartlett place. A Mr. Potter did woodwork on wagons for j\lr. Legg. 
At about 1 82 1, John Legg had purchased the Norman Leonard place, and Legg's 
shop was then moved on the lake-shore. Philo Dibble was the village harness- 
maker. 

Chester Parsons was a real, practical temperance man, always making it a 
point of principle not to sell any of his farm produce for distilling purposes. He 
would rather be satisfied with a less price for his grain in order to place it in the 
line of food for man or beast. He was a man of sterling character, and was 
always highly respected by not only his immediate neighbors, but the community 
generally. He left Skaneateles in 1854. He died in Syracuse in 1874, aged 
eighty-three years. 

(The above history was the result of a personal interview with the author.) 

Daniel Kellogg, Jr. — Daniel Kellogg, Jr., was the son of Judge Daniel Kel- 
logg, and was born in the old homestead in Skaneateles in 1817. In his early 
childhood days he attended the common schools, later he attended Dr. Kirkland's 
school at Geneva, N. Y., and afterward graduated at the Academy in Albany. 

His father designed this son for a banker, but, while negotiating with the 
officers of the United States Bank in Philadelphia with that end in view, died 
suddenly. Owing to this serious event, he embarked in manufacturing pursuits, 
and located for that purpose in Columbus, Ohio, and also in Cincinnati, often mak- 
ing trips there on horseback from Skaneateles, being a lover of fine horses. In 
later years he married and settled permanently in Skaneateles, and for many years 
he retired from active business. 

A good joke is told of him as a small schoolboy. He distributed among his 
young schoolmates fifteen one-hundred-dollar bills, thinking that they were pretty 
pictures. These he had found on his father's law-office desk. He thus disposed 
of fifteen hundred dollars innocently. 

Daniel Kellogg, Jr., died of pneumonia, in Skaneateles. November 21, 1891, 
leaving a widow, one daughter, and three sons. 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. i37 

Benjamin Lee. — Captain Benjamin Lee was born in Taunton, Somersetshire, 
England, February 26, 1765. He emigrated to tliis country some time during the 
latter part of the last century, for he had become a citizen of the United States 
in 1791, as will be seen from the following " Sea Letter: " 

"To ALL Emperors, Kings, Sovereign Princes, States, and Regents, and to their 
RESPECTIVE Officers Civil and Military, and to all others whom it may concern : 
I. George Washington, President of the United States of America, do make known, 
that Benjamin Lee, Captain of the ship called the Fair American, of the burthen of about 
317 tons, is a citizen of the said United States, and that the ship which he commands belongs 
to Citizens of the said United States ; and, as I wish that the said Benjamin Lee may pros- 
per in his lawful affairs, I do request of all the before mentioned and each of them sepa- 
rately, where the said Benjamin Lee shall arrive with his vessel and cargo, that they will 
be pleased to receive him with kindness, and treat him in a becoming manner ; permitting 
him. on the usual tolls and expenses in passing and repassing, to navigate, pass and fre- 
quent their Ports, Passes, and Territories, to the end that he may transact his business where 
and in what manner he shall judge proper; and thereby I shall consider myself obliged. 
In testimony whereof, I have caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed to these 
Presents, and have hereunto set my hand, at the City of Philadelphia, the twenty-third 
day of November, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and ninety- 
one. G. Washington. 
By the President : 
Th. Jefferson." 

A copy of this quaint document is given here to show that at that early date 
Captain Lee was in command of an American ship, and also to show the peculiar 
interest which our first President took in American citizens, and also of the well- 
being of naturalized citizens. 

Captain Lee retired from a seafaring life in 1797, settled in Boston, and mar- 
ried Miss Elizabeth Leighton, May 27, 1797. Soon after his marriage he pur- 
chased a fine farm in Lancaster, Mass., near Boston. Here he turned his atten- 
tion to raising fine Spanislr Merino sheep. He afterward took up the manu- 
facture of woolen goods, and the cloth produced from his extensive flock was 
of excellent quality. When, during the Embargo preceding the War of 1812, Con- 
gress patriotically resolved to wear only cloth of home manufacture, Vice-Presi- 
dent Gerry appeared at the Capitol in a suit of home-made cloth, presented to him 
by Captain Lee. 

A strong inducement was offered to Captain Lcc after entering upon domestic 
life, by President Adams, when the American Navy was first organized. When 
the celebrated frigate Constitution was fitted out, he was tendered a commission 
as her first lieutenant. This would have gpvcn him a high position among our 
old naval commanders. One of his reasons for declining this appointment was 
that, although a naturalized American citizen, he was unwilling to be placed in a 
situation which might require him to fight against Old England. 

Captain Lee removed from Boston to Norwich, Conn., in 1812. About the year 
1816 he purchased a large tract of land in Genesee County, N. Y. This tract con- 



138 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

tained about fifteen thousand acres. The purchase of these lands drew Captain 
Lee very often to western New York. 

In order to be near the scene of his business in disposing of his lands, he pur- 
chased in 1821 what was then known as the old Colonel Bellamy farm, on the east 
shore of Skaneateles Lake. He had previously owned a considerable farm with 
a neat cottage on the Cayuga Lake, near the village of the same name. This he 
sold upon purchasing the Skaneateles farm. This latter property consisted of 
two hundred and fifty acres, and bordered on the lake for a quarter of a mile. 

Here he efijoyed his favorite pursuit of farming and boating, and constructed 
a sail-boat, in which he spent many happy hours. In the year 1824 he provided 
himself with apparatus for sounding the various depths of the lake, using the reg- 
ular deep-sea leads, which he constructed himself for this purpose, there being a 
hollow in the bottom of each of them to be filled with tallow, in order to bring up 
some of the different kinds of sand, pebbles, or other matter on the surface be- 
neath the water. He commenced his line of soundings at the post-office in the 
village, which was then where St. James' Church is now, taking a course from 
there about due south, but with the intention of keeping equidistant from either 
shore until he reached the head of the lake. Commencing his memoranda of 
soundings at 10 feet, he gradually reached 25 feet opposite Colonel Livingston's, 
now the David Waldron place. Up to this point he found a clean bottom, but 
opposite Solomon Edwards', at a depth of 66 feet, found mud ; ofif One Mile Point, 
78 feet, alternately muddy and clean bottom ; in a line with Chester Parson's place, 
100 feet ; off the Major Pierce place, 140 feet, with mud on the bottom ; opposite 
Amasa Session's, 183 feet; off Five Mile Point, 218 feet, muddy; off Mandana, 
265 feet ; off Cold Spring woods, 265 feet, with clear white sand bottom ; off Nine 
Mile Point, 275 feet, clean bottom. He did not take the soundings above this 
point until the year 1827, but did not find any deeper water farther on up to the 
head, and found the bottom very muddy at that end of the lake. During these 
years he made many cross soundings from various parts of the shores, but did not 
reach any greater depth than he found in the middle course. 

He made a map of the lake, the outline of which is in almost the exact form of 
a female, especially from Ten Mile Point to the village, but was more of fancy 
than otherwise, as he made no survey of the shores. On that part of the map of 
which he took the soundings in 1824 the following memorandum is written on the 
margin : 

" The Skaneateles Lake contains about twenty square miles of surface, and at a 
moderate computation its average depth is 120 feet. Its waters must amount to 
fifteen hundred millions of tons — by calculation, 1,546,240,000 tons. A cubic foot 
of water is 62>4 pounds, 36 to the ton." 

This old map is placed under glass in the Skaneateles Library for 
l)rcservation. 

In person. Captain Lee was a man to attract notice. He was six feet in height, 
but so erect in carriage and well developed that he was commonly supposed to be 



HISTORV ur mk.i.\ hAlELES. 139 

much taller. Compact and muscular, he possessed in his prime unusual physical 
, strength and vigor, and to the last he was little susceptible to the influence of cold. 
His hair turned gray very early, and at one time in his early years he wore it pow- 
dered and tied in a queue. His manners were those of gentlemen of the old school, 
polite and urbane, but, accustomed as he was for so many years to absolute au- 
thority on board ship, he required prompt obedience from those in his employ and 
could not brook contradiction. He had the Englishman's partiality for horses and 
dogs. He usually had three or four horses in his stable, fine animals, and his daily 
recreation was a drive, often with an open carriage and pair. The dogs were 
always eager to accompany him, and, indicating their delight with loud barking, 
the start of the carriage was often attended with a commotion quite in keeping 
with his style of life. Sometimes the dogs were shut up to avoid this uproar, but, 
soon getting to understand this, they would hide themselves before the customary 
hour, aind, when the equipage was fairly on the road, would come bounding over 
the fences with delight. Captain Lee always made his frequent long journeys to 
the Genesee country, where his land was, with his own horses. For these jour- 
neys considerable preparation was made. He usually took with him a bottle of es- 
sence of coflfee, made under his own direction, so that he might not be dependent 
for that beverage upon country taverns ; also some hard gingerbread. He 
started by early daylight, and made nearly one-half of the day's journey before 
breakfast, averaging about forty or fifty miles per day. So different was the es- 
timate then of our territory, that he commonly spoke of his journey to the Gene- 
see region as " going to the Western Country." Highwaymen were not unknown, 
and his loaded pistols were fitted into the carriage seat by his side. 

He was of robust frame and iron constitution. Captain Lee's health for a 
number of years before his death was far from good. He felt the effects of the 
hardships and exposure of his earlier life. He suffered from sharp attacks of gout 
and rheumatism, and a severe fnfluenza in the winter of 1825 gave a shock to his 
system from which he never fully recovered. In August, 1828, he was seized 
with what proved to be his last illness, of a dropsical nature. None of his family 
were with him at the time. He died August 15, 1828, aged sixty-three years. 
The funeral took place the next day, the warm weather forbidding longer delay. 
There was a very large gathering of friends and neighbors, and directions left by 
himself in a letter addressed to S. Horton, Esq., were carried out. The service 
of the Episcopal Church was read by the Rev. Mr. Hollister. The coffin was 
placed in his open carriage and drawn by his own black horses, and his remains 
were deposited in a place chosen by himself not far from the dwelling-house. This 
piece of ground was afterward enclosed with a heavy stone wall, and was reserved 
when the farm was sold. The next sjiring a white marble obelisk was placed 
over the grave, inscribed with his name and dates of birth and death. 

After the incorporation of Lake View Cemetery, it was suggested to the rela- 
tives of Captain Lee to have the remains removed to this appropriate ground. 
Accordingly, on the 23d of September, 1874, the remains were disinterred, in pres- 



I40 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

ence of and under the direction of his son, Rt. Rev. Alfred Lee, Bishop of Dela- 
ware, and, together with the monument, placed in the new cemetery. 

The following obituary notice of Captain Lee's death was published in an Au- 
burn paper, and was probably written by the late Daniel Kellogg, of this village : 

" Died, on the 15th of August, at his summer residence in Skaneateles, Benja- 
min Lee, Esq., of Norwich, Conn., in the sixty-fourth year of his age. His friends 
have lost a companion endeared to them by his kind and generous nature no less 
than by his rich and highly cultivated understanding, and his immediate relatives, 
who felt and knew his worth and goodness, will find a void in their social circle 
which can never be supplied. Eminently distinguished for kindness and warm 
affection for his family, he deservedly enjoyed their love and veneration, and their 
deep sorrow in this bereavement is somewhat alleviated by the sympathy of the 
community. His condescension, and the open-handed munificence with which he 
administered to the wants and necessities of the poor around him, can never be 
forgotten by any who have been guided and consoled by his affectionate counsel, 
or cherished and relieved by his unbounded charity." 

Captain Lee's widow survived him nearly forty-three years, and died at Nor- 
wich, Conn., May 3, 1871, having nearly completed ninety-five years. 

The early life of Captain Lee was full of adventure and of peril. One in- 
stance may be related here: In the year 1783 he was a midshipman on board one 
of Lord Hood's fleet, and while at Port Royal, West Indies, was tried by a court 
martial for challenging his superior officer for countermanding his humane order 
relative to prisoners on board his ship. Lee was condemned to be shot. The 
Prince (afterward the Duke of Clarence, who ascended the throne after the death 
of George IV.) went to the Admiral, and told him he would not leave him until 
he had given him a pardon for his brother Lee. This was granted, and Brother 
Lee immediately quitted the service. On leaving his ship to go ashore at Port 
Royal, the whole fleet manned the yards and gave him three cheers — an honor 
never before or since paid to so young an officer. 

The Late C.\pt.\in N.\sh De Cost. — It is but justly due to the deceased to 
pay a passing tribute to his memory, for the many sterling and manly traits of 
character which he so eminently possessed. He was for many years honorably 
engaged as Captain in Messrs. Fish & Grinnell's line of packets, sailing between 
New York and Liverpool. 

His nautical skill as a commander, his untiring perseverance in his ardent 
profession, and his unbending integrity of purpose won for him many warm 
and lasting friends in the first commercial circles in England as well as in his 
native country. 

Having gained a handsome competency, he retired from commercial pursuits, 
and removed from New York to Skaneateles, where he devoted himself to agri- 
culture for many years with that energy which was so prominent in his 
character. 

He won here as elsewhere the esteem and confidence of a wide circle of ac- 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. i4< 

quaintances by liis uprightness of conduct and native goodness of lieart, which will 
long endear him to the memory of his family and surviving friends. 

The New York Journal of Commerce, February 2, 1858, says: 

" Captain Nash De Cost, who died in Skaneateles on the 27th of January, 1858, 
at the advanced age of seventy-five years, was well known in this city thirty years 
ago as one of the most popular shipmasters in the ' Swallow Tail ' line of Liverpool 
packets. Those who had occasion to cross the Atlantic at that period will remem- 
ber him as commander of the favorite packet ship York. Previous to his connec- 
tion with that ship, he severally commanded the ships ' Euphrates,' ' Cortez,' and 
' Averick,' in all of which he not only gave satisfaction to the owners, but also to 
those who had occasion to take passage with him. The numerous gifts of silver 
plate which he possessed and cherished in his advanced years testified to his 
popularity with his passengers. 

'■ He was always a good friend of the sailor, and has often boasted that he 
never had occasion to flog a man w'ho sailed with him in the whole course of his 
life. He possessed a good heart, and it was always in the right place when ap- 
pealed to by those in distress. 

" He was born in Fair Haven, near New Bedford, Alass., February 6, 1783, 
and commenced life a poor orphan boy. By indomitable perseverance and energy, 
be pushed himself ahead, without influential friends, and while ' before the mast ' 
in the whaling service made himself prominent by his daring and dangerous 
exploits. 

" In 181 2 he enrolled himself as a volunteer in Captain Storr's company of 
militia, in New Bedford, but was never in active service. 

" .^s an affectionate husband, fond parent, kind friend, and good neighbor, he 
will be missed from his family and from tlie community in which he lived. 

" Six years ago he had an attack of paralysis which aflfected the right half of 
his body, and since that time has been confined to his room, and exhibited great 
patience and fortitude during his long confinement. He was a sincere Christian, 
and died in the hope of a glorious immortality." 

Relel S.MITII. — Reuel Smith was born at Sandisfield, Berkshire County, 
Mass., November 13, 1797, and was the youngest of the twelve children of Joshua 
Smith, Jr. Joshua Smith, Jr., was the oldest of eight brothers, all of whom, 
as appears from the records, served in the War of the Revolution, and who were 
the sons of Joshua Smith, Sr., who made the original survey of the town of 
Sandisfield, and settled there in 1752. 

Reuel Smith was brought up on his father's farm, and started out as a boy 
to work in a country store. From about 1812 to 1820 he was head of the firm 
of Smith & Stevens, at Sandisfield. In 1822 he married Cclestia A. Mills, of the 
same place, a daughter of Drake .Mills (also a " Minute Man " of the Revolution), 
having previously established with Drake Mills, Jr., his brother-in-law, in New 
York, a general Southern trade in cotton, sugar, rice, etc., untlcr the firm name 
of Smith & Mills. About 1845 this firm was dissolved, and Reuel Smith retired 



142 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



from business. In 1849 ^''^ came to Skaneateles, and purchased from Perry 
Cornell and others a parcel of land, on which were three small houses, two of 
which were moved to Hannum Street, and the other one is now used as a studio 
on the Smith property. After the removal of the small houses, Reuel Smith be- 
gan to improve the grounds, and to build the dwelling now occupied by his family 
on West Lake Street. In 1853, Reuel Smith purchased from Lydia Fuller the lot 
of land lying east of the old burying-ground. Reuel Smith died at his residence, 
in the City of New York, 27 West Twenty-second Street, September 6, 1873. 
The Three Sisters. — These three sisters were the sister of the late Butler S. 




■HE THREE SISTERS. 



VVolcott, a former merchant of Skaneateles, who owned and occupied the store 
next west of the Bank of Skaneateles. 

Mrs. Hannah H. De Cost, in the center, died. April 27, 18S4, aged eighty- 
three years. 

Mrs. Sophia Knibloe, on the right, dii'd Deconilier 31. 1894. aged eighty-two 
years. 

Mrs. Eliza A. Candee. on the left, died Xovember 6, 1898. aged eighty-four 
years. 

Mrs. Hannah H. Dc Cost was the widow of Captain Nash De Cost, of the 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. i43 

town of Skancatcles. She was the mother of Mrs. E. N. Leslie, and also the 
mother of Edward B. Coe. 

The ages of the three sisters were relatively eighty-two, eighty-three, and 
eighty-four years. 

\\'iLLi.\M Fuller. — William Fuller was born in the town of Galway, Sara- 
toga County, August 5, 1799. He came to Kelloggsville, or Sempronius, in the 
year 1810, and went from there to Owasco Village about the year 1820, where 
he embarked in business with his brother as a merchant. He came to Skaneate- 
les in 1833, and purchased the Sherwood farm. At one time he owned all the 
land on the west side of the Seneca Turnpike Road, between the old Sackett 
house (now the residence of Frederick Shear) and the house of Deacon Potter, 
opposite J. A. Root's. That strip of land was then an old orchard of apple-trees. 
Mr. Fuller built the house lately owned and occupied by C. VV. Allis. Harry Allen 
built the adjoining similar cottage at the same time. Mr. Fuller was elected to the 
Legislature as representative in the Assembly from this district in the year 1841 or 
1842, serving one term. He was always one of the leading farmers of this town, 
and took a great interest in everything in that line. He introduced many fine 
breeds of cattle, and was very much interested in all agricultural societies, making 
many addresses before them. During the latter years of his life he owned and re- 
sided in the house which was built by John Briggs for a tavern in the year 1806, 
now the residence of Frederick Shear, on the corner of West Lake and Genesee 
Streets. He possessed an upright character, was kind and generous in disposition, 
and had a large circle of warm friends. 

Mr. Fuller was the Supervisor of this town for a number of years, and Presi- 
dent of the State Agricultural Society in 1849. He died in Brooklyn, X. Y., 
November 29, 1864, aged sixty-five years. In tiic year 1833, William Fuller pur- 
chased the tavern, store (then occupied as a printing-office), and all other build- 
ings, together with about one and a half acres of land, from Isaac Sherwood. He 
had previously kept bar for Sherwood, and after he had purchased the property he 
kept the tavern for several years. 

The Legg Lot. — The John Legg lot, now owned by Mrs. H. T. Webb, was one 
of the original village lots laid out by Jedediah Sanger, " agreeable to a map and 
survey thereof by Mr. Geddes." This lot was No. 6, and the following is a 
description of the sale of it by Sanger: 

"January 16, 1801, Jedediah Sanger to Seth McKay, consideration $5, in his 
actual possession. Village Lot No. Six, 100 feet front and 26 rods back, containing 
one acre of land." (The above is an abstract.) 

" July 21, 1802, Seth McKay to Norman Leonard, consideration $200, Village 
Lot No. Six, too feet front, 26 rods back, one acre of land." 

About the year 1822, John Legg purchased the above village lot from Norman 
Leonard, and it has been in the possession of his family ever since. John Legg 
also owned the Stephen Horton lot, adjoining on the west. 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



CHAPTER XL 
The Potashery and Other Manufactures. 

Winston Day's Potashery, Distillery, and Brewery in Skaneateles 
BEFORE 1816. — There is given below the advertisement of an auction sale to be 
held at the " Indian Queen," kept by Isaac W. Perry, in the village of Skaneateles, 
which is an interesting part of the history of the village. The plaintiff in this 
Chancery proceeding was Liva Peck, who was a rich farmer, and owned and lived 
on the farm now occupied by Manassah Smith, on the West Lake Road, near the 
Octagon Schoolhouse. Liva Peck built that house between 1825 and 1830. He 
probably loaned money to Lewis & Cotton, and took a mortgage on the lot. The 
other parties named as defendants may have had some lien on the property, a 
judgment likely. Levi Cuddeback was brother to Simeon and David Cuddeback, 
and perhaps he had a lien in the form of judgment, also Lewis & Cotton, who were 
woolen manufacturers at one time at Willow Glen, and afterward up at the village. 
Their factory was west of the mill dam, near and west of the old stone mill of 
Thayer & Co. Lewis & Cotton failed, and the property Was sold under foreclo- 
sure sale, as will be seen by this advertised sale. At that sale the property was 
purchased by Deacon David Hall and others, and afterward it became " The 
Skaneateles Woolen Manufacturing Company." The old factory was enlarged 
and repaired, and was operated by various persons under the name of " The 
Skaneateles Manufacturing Company," until it was destroyed by fire in 1842. 
Then Dorastus Kellogg started up the old factory at Willow Glen, and he con- 
tinued in that business while he remained in Skaneateles. 

This advertisement of sale states that the premises were by deed conveyed by 
Thomas Gibbs (deceased) to Winston Day in 1816. Day had his distillery, then, 
many years before 1816, so that Day must have leased the lot from Gibbs before 
1816, and may have purchased from Gibbs the east part then, and owned and oc- 
cupied the west part before, and intended to build a brewery on the east part of the 
lot, but the brewery was never built. Winston Day's distillery was there in 1807, 
at the time Nathaniel Miller first came to Skaneateles. Gibbs had a sawmill about 
the same time near where the stone mill now stands, and it will be seen by his deed 
to Day that it conveys the right to take water from the dam to work his pump, situ- 
ated across the outlet, and the right to lay pump-logs and pump water through 
them to his distillery, etc. That pump would be situated about where Policy's 
wagon-shop stands, probably somewhere near the southeast corner of the building. 
This lot, beginning, as described, in the east side of Isaac Sherwood's garden 
(which is now the Packwood house grounds, where the barn now stands, and per- 
haps a little farther north), lay to the north of the outlet and adjoining Colonel 



HfSTORy OF SKAXEATELES. U5 

Warren Hecox's tannery, etc., but did not come up to the mill dam, as Colonel 
Hecox owned the east side of the Pond, between the bridge and the dam, and a 
corner of the dam on both sides of the outlet. 
I Icre is the advertisement of the sale : 

IN CH.\NXERY. 

LivA Peck, ~| 

vs. I L. H. Sandfori), 

.\Imon Virgil and Cornelia Virgil his wife, Isaac Lewis, George H. [" Solicitor. 

Cotton, Joel B. Couch, and Levi Cuddeback. J 

In pursuance of a decretal order of the court of chancery of the State of New-York, 
made in the above entitled cause, I, the subscriber, one of the Masters of the said court, 
will sell at public auction, on Wednesday, the thirteenth day of March ne.xt. at two o'clock 
in the afternoon of that day, at the "Indian Queen," kept by Isaac W. Perry, in the village of 
Skaneatelcs. "All that certain piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the village 
of Skaneateles, in the county of Onondaga, and being a part of lot No. Thirty-six, in the 
township of Marcellus, and bounded and described as follows: Beginning in the centre of 
the outlet of the Skaneateles Lake, at a point northerly of the east line of the garden ground 
belonging lo Isaac Sherwood, thence southerly till it strikes the north east corner of said 
garden ground, thence along the east line of said garden to a point where the north line of 
land belonging to Warren Hecox, intersects said east line of said garden, thence easterly 
and southerly along said Heco.x's north and east line until it strikes the north end of a 
cow shed belonging to said Hecox, at the north end of said Hecox's barn, thence east thirty 
degrees, north five rods, thence north thirty-three degrees, thirty minutes, west one rod, 
thence easterly until it strikes a stone set in the ground, marked X described in a deed from 
Thomas Gibbs. deceased, to Winston Day. dated the twenty-ninth August, one thousand 
eight hundred and sixteen; thence north fifty-two degrees west to the centre of said outlet, 
thence in the centre of said outlet to the place of beginning, being the same premises on 
said lot which the said Day occupied for several years as a Distillery and Pot-Ashery lot, 
and also the pump and its appurtenances, situate near the mill dam across said outlet, and 
also the right or grant to take a sufficient quantity of water from said mill dam to work said 
pump, to convey water for the use of a distillery and brewery on said premises, or which 
shall be at any time put on the same; and also the right or grant to take a sufficient quan- 
tity of water from the said dam for the use of the said distillery and brewery, and a right 
to lay logs in the ground to convey the water to the said distillery and brewery respectively, 
and also the right or grant of a cartway to and from the said premises above described, to 
the Seneca Turnpike Road, excepting and reserving the right of using the Skaneateles out- 
let for the purpose of clearing the bed thereof, and also for the purpose of floating logs down 
the same; and also the right of keeping the said bed of said outlet free from all obstructions 
whatsoever." Together with all and singular the hereditaments thereunto, in anywise 
belonging. 

D.itfd 30th January. 1833. Richard L. Smith, 

Master in Chancery. 

Joseph T.vllcot. — Joseph Tallcot was born in Xcw Milford, Conn., June 12, 
1768. In the spring of 1807, he, with liis wife, Sarah Tallcot, and their sons, 
Richard and Daniel, and daughters, Hannah and Phcbe, moved to Scipio, N. Y. 
Thence, in the spring of 1823, he with his family came to Skaneateles, and settled 



146 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

on a farm adjoining that " beautiful lake." (This farm was the one since owned 
by the late Elias Thorne.) He remained on this farm sixteen years, during which 
time he continued actively engaged in promoting the various benevolent enterprises 
of the day. He was long known as a faithful laborer in the cause of religion and 
virtue. He was remarkable for the purity and inoffensiveness of his character, 
and for his love to mankind in general, and more particularly for those in the 
younger walks of life. The promotion of a sound religious education among the 
rising generation was an object dear to his heart, and to which a considerable 
portion of his time was devoted. Though far advanced in life, he retained much 
of the greenness of his earlier years. The following extracts from his published 
correspondence indicate his characteristics: 

" I am ready to tremble for the fate of our free government, when I consider 
that our institutions, both civil and religious, are founded on Christian principles, 
and can not be sustained without the prevalence of Christian virtues. Wise, cool- 
headed, pious old men, who have honorably retired from public life, can not 
wind up their labors more usefully than in promoting the pious instruction of the 
rising generation." 

"Deprive us for only one century of the influence of the Bible, where would 
be our dignified nation, and all its new flourishing institutions, both civil and re- 
ligious? " 

It may not be amiss to mention that he accepted from the Governor the ap- 
pointment of Inspector of Schools, as a means to aid him in visiting schools 
through a large portion of western New York, in which service he continued for a 
number of years, distributing his books and tracts among the teachers and 
children, addressing the schools in a kind, familiar manner, imparting advice and 
encouragement, and clearly evincing that it was love alone which prompted him in 
these labors. 

Joseph Tallcot was a public benefactor, a man of sterling character, a devout 
Christian, very thoughtful of others, and was universally loved. In all of his pub- 
lic and private transactions he manifested sound judgment, strict integrity, and 
ability. 

He died at his residence, Ledyard (Tallcot's Corners), Cayuga County, Au- 
gust 20, 1853, aged eighty-five years. 

Nicholas J. Roosevelt. — Nicholas J. Roosevelt was a descendant in. direct 
line from Klass Macteusen Van Roosevelt, who left Holland in 1649 and settled 
in New Amsterdam. Locally he was a resident of Skaneateles twenty-three years. 
He came here with his family about the year 1831, and was a continual highly re- 
spected citizen and always a courteous gentleman, until his death, July 30, 1854, at 
the age of eighty-seven years. During the period of the following history of his 
early experiences, associated with distinguished early inventors, he was but thirty- 
one years of age. 

Mrs. Martha J. Lamb's "History of the City of New York" gives the following 
interesting reminiscences of his early life : 



HISTORV OF SK.IXEATELES. M? 

■ The Collect Pond, occupying the site of the present great gloomy pile of pri- 
son buildings known as the Tombs, was the scene in the summer of 1796 of the first 
trial of a steamboat with a screw propeller. It was the invention of John Fitch. 
The boat was eighteen feet in length and six feet beam, with square stern, round 
bows, and furnished with seats. The boiler was a ten or twelve-gallon iron pot. 

" The little craft passed round the pond several times, and was believed capable 
of making six miles an hour. The spectacle was watched with critical interest by 
Chancellor Livingston, Xicholas J. Roosevelt. John Stephens, and others, who had 
in common with philosophers and inventors in England and Europe been for some 
time engaged in speculative study of the steam engine and its prospective uses. 
The statement that Robert Fulton was present at the trial of Fitch's steamboat on 
the Collect in 1796 is an error, he being in England at that date. 

'■ Oliver Evans, who was also present at the trial of Fitch's steamboat, said : 
' The time will come when people will travel in stages moved by steam engines 
from one city to another as fast as birds can fly — fifteen or twenty miles an hour.' 
And his associates smiled incredulously. 

" Two years after Fitch experimented with his screw propeller on the Collect 
in New York, Xicholas J. Roosevelt launched a little steamboat on the Passaic 
River, and made a trial trip with a party of invited guests, among whom was the 
Spanish Minister. Roosevelt was of the old New York family of that name, and 
a gentleman of education and inventive talent. He had become interested with 
others in the Schuyler copper mines, and, from this model of Hornblowcr's at- 
mospheric engine, constructed one of a similar character, and also built similar 
engines for various purposes. Colonel John Stephens, who exhibited far better 
knowledge of the science and art of engineering, besides urging more advanced 
opinions and statesman-like views in relation to the economical importance of the 
practical development of the new invention, than any man of his time, was fre- 
quently in conference with Roosevelt. In December, 1797, Chancellor Livingston 
wrote to Roosevelt, saying: ' Mr. Stephens has mentioned to me your desire to ap- 
ply the steam machine to a boat. Every attempt of this kind having failed, I 
have constructed a boat on perfectly new principles, which, both in the model and 
on a large scale, has exceeded my expectations. I was about writing to England 
for a steam machine, but, hearing of your wish, I was willing to treat with you, 
on terms which I believe you will find advantageous, for the use of my invention.' 
The result was an agreement between Livingston, Stephens, and Roosevelt to 
build a boat on joint account, for which the engines were to be constructed by 
Roosevelt at his shop on the Passaic, and the propelling agency was to be planned 
by the Chancellor. So promising were the signs that in March, 1798, the Legisla- 
ture of New York passed a bill giving Livingston the exclusive right to steam 
navigation in the waters of the State for a period of twenty years, provided that he 
should within a year from date produce a boat that could steam four miles an 
hour. During the progress of the enterprise the correspondence teemed with 
speculative suggestions. The trial trip, to which reference has been made, oc- 



I4S HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

curred on the 21st of October, 1798. It was recognized as a failure. Roosevelt 
had invented a vertical wheel, which he earnestly recommended to the Chancellor 
without success. Stephens, a few months later, persuaded the Chancellor to try 
a set of paddles in the stern, which unfortunately shook the boat to pieces and ren- 
dered it unfit for further use. The inventive instinct of America appears to have 
been abreast with that of any other country. But no individual as yet had suc- 
ceeded in taking the final step in the progression which was to make steam 
navigation an every-day commercial success. 

" Roosevelt, when asked why he did not anticipate Fulton in the first successful 
application of the steam-engine to naval purposes, replied : 'At the time Chancellor 
Livingston's horizontal-wheel experiment failed, I was under a contract with the 
corporation for supplying the city of Philadelphia with water by means of two 
steam-engines; and, besides, I was under a contract with the United States to 
erect rolling works and supply the Government with copper rolled and drawn for 
six seventy-four gun ships that were then to be built. But by a change of men in 
the administration, after I had been led into heavy expense, the seventy-fours 
were abandoned without appropriations, and embarrassment to me was the natural 
consequence.' " 

Archibald Douglass. — Archibald Douglass came from Shaftsbury, Vt., in 
May, 1816, bringing his family, consisting of his wife and five children — two sons 
and three daughters. He also brought his household furniture and his working- 
tools. Before he came from \^ermont, he was engaged in the manufacture of 
thrashing machines, wagons, and fanning-mills or machines. He had previously 
patented a fanning-machine. On his arrival here he settled at Clift's Corners, and 
conducted the same line of business that he did in Vermont. Later he removed into 
the village. He died in the month of November, 1862, aged seventy-eight years. 

W1LLLA.M G. Ellery. — William G. Ellery was born in Skaneatcles, July 25, 
1832. He was a merchant, school teacher, lawyer, and President of the village, 
being the first President elected as an independent officer. He also served as Town 
Clerk from 1874 to 1885, except one year. He died in November, 1887. 

Daniel T. Moseley. — Daniel T. Moseley was born at Onondaga Hill, in 1810. 
He was the son of the late Judge Daniel T. Moseley, of the Supreme Court. 
Graduating at Union College with high honors, he came to Skaneateles in 1833, 
studied law in the office of the late Daniel Kellogg, and was afterward admitted to 
the bar. He was for several years a partner with Hon. Lewis IL Sandford, which 
only ceased when the latter removed to the city of New York. During his resi- 
dence in Skaneateles, Mr. Moseley had filled the offices of County Judge and Su- 
pervisor for several terms, and Justice of the Peace. In 1850, owing to impaired 
health, he withdrew from active business, and continued to reside in this village, 
always taking a deep interest in public affairs. He was universally esteemed, a 
good citizen, and a kind husband and father. He died February 23, 1883, aged 
seventy-two years, leaving a wife and two daughters. The funeral ser\'ices were 
held at his late residence, being conducted by Rev. C. P. Jennings. 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 149 

Al'gcstls Kellogg. — Augustus Kellogg was the eldest son of tiic late 
Daniel Kellogg, who was one of the most prominent early settlers within the 
village. His son Augustus was born in the original one-and-a-half-story home- 
stead, now next east of the old law office, on the south side of Onondaga 
Street. He was born in the year 1803, and died October 30. 1871, from heart 
failure. 

In his earlier years he studied law in his father's office, and after a limited 
time he was admitted to the bar. About sixty years ago, when he was in the 
prime of life, he was one of the most prominent members of the Onondaga 
County bar. Having a classical education, a brilliant intellect, commanding 
presence, fine oratorical powers, ready at repartee, and possessing a sarcasm 
which few would wish to encounter, he was formidable in debate. His intimacy 
with leading men throughout the State, and especially at Albany, became very 
extensive. He often visited the sessions of the Legislature, and always when 
there attracted attention by his commanding appearance and knowledge of all 
public questions. His mode of dress was exceptionally neat, always wearing 
gold spectacles and a silk hat. He had a ruddy complexion and expressive eyes, 
while his bright conversational powers always rendered him an attractive com- 
panion. But he had his infirmities, over which we are disposed to draw a veil, 
but the history of his checkered life would be incomplete without reference to 
them. His career took a downward turn, and he was finally discovered, early 
one Sunday morning, in his father's old law office, in an insensible and dying 
condition, from which he never rallied, and died October 30, 1871. In early 
life he married a Miss Hart, of Utica, a beautiful and accomplished lady, who 
died shortly afterward, leaving an only son, who, inheriting his father's talents 
and infirmities, died in early life. 

The identification of his grave, which is not generally known, is as follows: 
There is no stone over it. It is directly west of the headstone of Helen M., 
wife of William H. Huxtable, under a partially sunken spot of ground, separated 
from the Huxtable headstone by an iron fence. 

In connection with this subject, it may be of interest to state that the late 
C. Pardee prepared an epitaph, which he designed to have cut on a gravestone 
to be placed over Augustus Kellogg's grave, but this design was never accom- 
plished. The original epitaph, in C. Pardee's handwriting, is still in existence, 
and is here given : 

AicisTLS Kellogg, 

Died October 30, 187 1. .Vgeo 67 Years. 

Born ln Afn.UENCE: Talents and Education of the First Order. 

Died as the Fool dietii— Buried 

In midnight darkness by his bequest. 

With the talents of an .\ncel, a man may de a fool. 

JouN Snook. — Dr. John Snook, with his son, John Snook, Jr., about the year 
1832 came here from England. Before leaving England Dr. Snook had be- 



150 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

come famous for his invention of a medical preparation called "Snook's Pills."' 
To him is due the introduction of the teasel, in this town, about the year 1833. 
The business of growing and cultivating the teasel plant has ever since been 
exceedingly profitable, not only to the farming interest, but to the teasel mer- 
chants, who prepare them for sale to the woolen cloth manufacturers. 

John Snook, Jr., the son of Dr. Snook, very early after his arrival here 
established himself in the retail drug and medicine business, connecting it with 
some other lines of goods, and during his life had a very successful career. 

Dr. John Snook died in this town, December i, 1857. John Snook, Jr., died 
at Utica, October 30, 1884, at the age of fifty-one. 

Dyer Br.^inerd. — Among the inhabitants of Skaneateles the name of Dyer 
Brainerd appears, and it is related of him in the "Genealogy of the Brainerd 
Family in the United States," by David Dudley Field, D.D., published in 1857, 
as follows: 

Dyer Brainerd, son of Amasa and Jedidah Brainerd, was born May 25, 1774, 
in East Haddam, Conn. Married Sally Seymour, of New Canaan, Conn., 
January 26, 181 1. They resided in the city of New York many years, where he 
was engaged in the wholesale grocery business, but, on retiring from business 
there, they removed in the year 1832 to Skaneateles, where he died, June 24, 
1849, and was interred in the old cemetery on the hill west of the village. 

Having acquired a competency after being in active business in New York 
for forty years, he purchased the Livingston farm, on the east side of Skan- 
eateles Lake, one mile south of the village. This farni contained one hundred 
acres. Fie took great delight in improving and fitting it up for the home of his 
family, and where it would be his pleasure to entertain his friends. It was his 
home for seventeen years, until his death. 

It was said of Dyer Brainerd that he married at forty, and brought up a 
family of seven boys, and each boy had a sister. Dyer Brainerd was naturally 
stimulated with a spirit of enterprise in the interest of the public welfare, and 
was identified with all the commendable improvements in progress at that period 
in the circuit of Skaneateles. He was chosen Road Master (Commissioner) in 
his district for several years, and was the first to originate and use a road 
scraper, and by its means, smoothing the rutted and rough roads and filling up 
the holes, made carriage riding a pleasure. " Brainerd's Lake Road" became 
celebrated throughout this section of country, and was used by those who en- 
joyed the best and most pleasurable ride to be found in the whole town. It 
pleased him to see others enjoy his eft'orts in making the East Lake Road en- 
joyable by all his fellow citizens. 

His attention was turned from good public roads to the need of a good 
steamer to traverse the lake, and put life into the beautiful exquisite scenery 
and landscajjc. His attention was thereafter directed toward having a railroad 
from the village to the Junction, instead of an out-of-date plank road. Another 
idea was to induce the general public to organize a rural cemetery in place of 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 15' 

an old burying-ground. Many ullier public entL-rprises were projected and vigor- 
ously presented by him. 

Dyer Brainerd was quiet, modest, and unassuming, and remarkably con- 
scientious. It was said of him by John Green, an old Quaker, and a former busi- 
ness associate: " If there ever was an honest man. Dyer Brainerd was that man 
in the fullest sense of the word." Many a young man could bear testimony 
to his disinterested encouragement and friendship, his advice, and financial as- 
sistance to start in business and maintain his independence. 

Ch.xrles B. Isbell. — Charles B. Isbell was born in Milford, Conn., October 
22, 1803, and came to Skaneateles in 1833, since which time he had, with one or 
two exceptions, been a constant dweller in this village. His vocation in life was 
that of a master mechanic, and well did he till that position. Possessed of a rare 
mechanical ingenuity, there was nothing in all the complicated and nicely fitting 
rules of his profession of which he was not a master. About the beginning of 
the California gold excitement, he went to that State, where his time was wholly 
occupied in superintending the building of steam mills, which now stand as 
monuments of his mechanical genius for durability and finish. In Canada, also, 
he was employed in the same business, and, it is needless to say, met with the 
same success — the approval of his employers, and the satisfaction which an 
honest mind feels in having done his duty. As a neighbor and a citizen he was 
valued and respected, and as a husband and a father that deep love which springs 
from a grateful heart was given him. Industrious to the last degree, his life 
was one of honest toil which knew no rest, until death folded his hands in a 
breathless sleep. He died March 24, 1866, aged sixty-three years. 

Joel Thayer. — ^Joel Thayer was born in Ontario, N. Y., July 18, 1812. He 
came to Skaneateles in the year 1835, and very soon after became interested 
with John Legg in the manufacture of carriages, wagons, and sleighs. Although 
at that time he possessed a very inoderate amount of capital, he had within him 
the elements that later in life brought his business talents forward as a successful 
man in the most prominent degree. Not very long after he became a resident 
of Skaneateles he married Juliette, daughter of John Lcgg. This newly formed 
relationship caused him at once to become identified with the business interests 
of Skaneateles. Mr. Thayer was an excellent citizen. He was enterprising and 
public-spirited, and always willingly aided every public project that was brought 
to his attention. Upright and honest in every deed, he possessed the entire con- 
fidence of the community, and often rendered valuable and gratuitous service to 
those in need of counsel and assistance. There was much sympathy in his 
nature, as many who have been the recipients of his favor can testify, and to 
his friends he was as true as steel. His heart and hand were always open to the 
afflicted and destitute. He was quiet and unobtrusive in manner, and steadfast 
in purpose, yet his nature was genial and sunshiny, making his life one of 
pleasure and happiness to his family and friends. The round of the life of Mrs. 
Thayer was of generous and kindly acts, devoted to charity, and strengthening 



152 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

and upholding everything, not only pertaining to the best interests of her hus- 
band, but to the community at large in which she lived. 

Mr. Thayer organized the Bank of Skaneateles during the month of August, 
1869, with a capital stock of $100,000, and was for twelve years its President, 
carrying that institution through the experimental period to a substantial pros- 
perous basis. He was one of the first Board of Trustees of the Skaneateles 
Savings Bank, in the year 1866. He conducted an extensive flouring-mill at 
Skaneateles, and became the prime mover and promoter of the organization of 
the Skaneateles Railroad, of which he was for several years President. 

Mrs. Thayer died December 4, 1880, and Joel Thayer died May 19, 1881, sur- 
viving his devoted and affectionate wife but six months. 

DoRASTUS Kellogg. — Dorastus Kellogg was born on the Obadiah Thorne 
farm, which is on the direct road to Marcellus, January 10, 1808. He was en- 
gaged in early life in woolen manufacturing in Baldwinsville, and came to Skan- 
eateles in the year 1834. For many years he was extensively engaged in the 
manufacture of woolen goods, at what was then known as Kellogg's Factory, but 
since that time as Willow Glen. Previously to his locating at Kellogg's Fac- 
tory, he had a woolen mill in the village, in which he employed about sixty-five 
hands. This was located on the site of what is now known as the yellow shop, 
on Railroad Street, west of the stone mill. His mill was destroyed by fire Feb- 
ruary 4, 1842. At the same fire Spencer Hannum's machine shop, and Earll, 
Kellogg & Co.'s flouring-mill and storehouse, were burned, causing a loss of 
about $43,000. On the site of Kellogg's woolen factory, Spencer Hannum 
erected a foundry, which was afterward burned, January 6, 1850. 

Dorastus Kellogg was a man of decided character, strong impulses, and had 
many warm friends. He died from an attack of typhoid pneumonia, in Oswego 
Falls, February i, 1883, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. His remains were 
brought to Skaneateles Village, and were met at the railroad depot by many of 
his old friends and acquaintances to pay their last tribute and respect to his worth 
and memory. The burial took place in his own family lot in Lake View Ceme- 
tery. 

John Kellogg. — John Kellogg, son of Daniel and Laura (Hyde) Kellogg, 
was born at Skaneateles, April 12, 1807. In his early life he was a merchant 
at Trumansburg, N. Y. He subsequently became a joint owner of the stone mill 
with Colonel Earll, and later had a wheelbarrow manufactory, and also a flour- 
mill and distillery at Jordan, N. Y. Early in the sixties he engaged in the 
brokerage business in New York, having formed a partnership with Lawrence 
Jerome, under the firm name of Jerome, Kellogg & Co., at No. 22 Exchange 
Place. For about twenty years before his death he was not engaged in active 
business. He died February 7, 1883. 

Wn.Li.\M MiLLETT Beauchamp. — William Millett Beauchamp was born in 
the village of West Pinnard, Somersetshire, England, April 5, 1799. He emi- 
grated to this country during the summer of 1829, and first located in Orange 



HISTORY uf :^h.i.\t:.UELES. '5J 

County, \. v., where he leased a farm, and on tliat farm introduced the culti\a- 
tion of the teasel, but, as the crop required much outlay for labor, and there being 
at that period none of the later facilities for marketing the teasel, he abandoned 
the business. He first came to Skaneateks in the spring of 1831, with his 
family, and settled on a farm about four miles south of the village, on the East 
Lake Road. While on that farm he planted probably the first hawthorn hedge 
that was ever set in this section of the State. This hedge is now in a flourish- 
ing condition after having been planted sixty-eight years. He moved into the 
village late in the fall of 1832, residing first on the Hoagland place, and after- 
ward on the present Taylor place (much enlarged since). He entered into part- 
nership with Richard Ash in the boot and shoe business, but soon gave it up, and 
established a book-store, in which he commenced a circulating library, which con- 
tinued in a flourishing condition for more than twenty years. The purchase of 
the Auburn Banner office I'n 183*; prepared the way for the establishment of 
the Skaneateles Democrat, the first number of which was issued January 3, 1840. 
Si.\ years later it was purchased by William H. Jewett, E. S. Keeney (a young 
man of great literary promise) being editor. He died a few months later, and 
his brother Jonathan continued the publication, until it was purchased by the 
late Harrison B. Dodge, in whose continuous possession it remained until his 
death November 22, 1898, a period of fifty years. 

William M. Beauchamp took a great and active interest in education, temper- 
ance, local history, and agriculture, and for many years he made monthly reports 
10 the Meteorological Department of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington 
City, D. C. After giving up journalistic work he devoted himself to the nursery 
business, and became particularly interested in the importation of hedge-plants 
from England. Most of the hawthorn hedges, which are a distinguishing fea- 
ture of Skaneateles scenery, were purchased from his nursery and planted under 
his direction. He was for many years Secretary of the Farmers' Club, and re- 
ported its proceedings for the Skaneateles Democrat for publication long after 
this paper had passed into other hands. He was a communicant of the Episcopal 
Church, and continually lent his aid to the parish, by which he was elected a mem- 
ber of the Vestry, which office he retained until his decease. Previous to that 
he had held the position of precentor of the choir by vote of the Vestry. He was 
ardently interested in the Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, and was 
one of the earliest members of the Lodge in Skaneateles. Nearly all his life, and 
particularly since he became a resident of the village of Skaneateles. he had kept 
a diary of events, and from the brief daily entries many valuable and interesting 
articles have been compiled and published by his only surviving son, Dr. Beau- 
champ, rector of Grace Church, Baldwinsvillc, N. Y. \N'illiam M. Beauchamp 
died August 28, 1867, in the sixty-ninth year of his age. 

Rkiiard T.mxott. — Richard Talcott was born at New Milford. Conn.. 
July 7, 1791, came to Skaneateles with his father, Joseph Talcott, and family, in 
1823. and settled on a small farm of fifty acres, on the west shore of the lake. 



IS4 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

now known as the Elias Thorne place. September 3, 1825, he formed a copart- 
nership with Ebenezer Pardee (brother of Charles Pardee), under the firm 
name of E. Pardee & Co., and conducted a general store in the village. Pos- 
sessing those qualities which make successful business men, he was always ener- 
getic, straightforward, and took a keen interest in the advancement of the com- 
munity and in all matters of public importance, and he at once became known 
throughout this section of the State as an influential citizen. He was a member 
of the Society of Friends, of the branch known as Orthodox. In the Society 
itself, as well as in the community at large, he possessed great influence. He 
manifested an interest in educational subjects, and no other leading moral ques- 
tions was prominent in his day. His influence was always for right and justice. 
A long-continued sickness, which he bore with patience and humility, marked the 
close of his life. He died at the residence of his son, Joseph Talcott, July 17, 
1876, aged eighty-five years. 

RiSHWORTH Mason. — Captain Rishworth Mason was born March 26, 1794, 
at Biddeford, Maine. In his youth he was not a strong lad, therefore his 
parents had him take a voyage to sea for his health. At eighteen years of age 
he shipped aboard of a ship to perfect himself in seamanship and navigation, and 
m a few years took command of a vessel. He afterward went to New York, and 
was in the employ of several of the leading shipping merchants. In 1846 he 
with his family moved to Oswego, where Captain Mason built three vessels 
suitable for the lake trade. After residing there for a few years, he was in- 
duced, through the influence of Thayer & Legg, and others, to come to Skan- 
eateles, and soon after the steamboat Homer was built. The first trip of this 
boat was made July 4, 1849. Captain Mason commanded the Homer for ten 
years. After he sold his interest in this boat he commenced the grocery business 
in the village, which was continued for ten years, until his death, which oc- 
curred March 5, 1871. He had five wives, and was the father of fifteen children, 
seven of them by his last wife, who is now living; but all the fifteen children 
have passed away — "Have crossed the river." During his early seafaring life, 
he went to India twice, to Africa twice, and on his first trip with his uncle he cir- 
cumnavigated the world. He crossed the Atlantic Ocean ninety-nine times. 
Captain Mason's last wife (now living), whom we all knew, lived with her hus- 
band twenty years and three months, which was as long again as the previous 
four wives lived with him. 

John Legg. — In 18 13, John Legg was the only blacksmith in the village. 
He made axes principally, and did all other kinds of work, having an extensive 
business at that period. 

Merchants in 1813. — Jonathan Booth and Samuel Ingham (Booth & 
Ingham), Phares Gould, Day & Hecox (Winston Day and Warren Hecox), and 
Norman Leonard were the only merchants in 1813. 

Peter Thompson. — Peter Thompson was born at Halifax, Plymouth Co., 
ATass., August i, 1793. and went to Vermont in 1809, where he lived four years. 



HISTORy OF SKANEATELES. 155 

and then came to Skaneateles in May, 1813. He traveled on foot from Vermont 
in company with John Bilhngs, both being carpenters by trade. 

Taverns. — The only tavern in town was on the site of the present Savings 
Bank. It was then kept by Ezekiel Griswold (brother-in-law of Ambrose 
Hecox). That was the only public-house until Deacon David Hall built what 
has since been known as the Lake House. Peter Thompson and John Billings 
did the carpenter work for David Hall, about 1823-5. 

Philo Dibble. — Philo Dibble was born in Mount Washington, Berkshire 
County, Mass., in 1794. His parents removed to Delaware County, N. Y., 
where he married and removed to Skaneateles, N. Y. Little is known by the au- 
thor of him, but his name is found as having been elected as a Trustee of the old 
Skaneateles Librarj-, March 3, 1829, and was successively reelected March 5, 
1833, December 4, 1834, November 12, 1835, and March 2, 1836. From this 
statement it will be observed that he was here in 1829, and was a Trustee of the 
Library until 1836, seven years. Inhaling the bracing air of the mountains of 
New England and the hills of Delaware County, he had a strong constitution. 
He was not brought up in the lap of luxury, but was in early life inured to labor, 
and consequently acquired habits of industry and economy. His early opportuni- 
ties for education and mental discipline were limited, but he possessed a well- 
balanced mind and sound judgment, and exerted considerable influence in the 
community. He resided in Skaneateles for twenty-two years, and during that 
time prosecuted business as a mechanic (harness and saddlery), and was suc- 
cessful in the accumulation of property. He removed from Skaneateles to 
Marshall, Mich., in 1841. Four out of five children went to the grave before 
him. He died at Marshall, Mich., December 13, 1871. 

William H. Jewett. — William H. Jewett was the only son of the late Hon. 
Freeborn G. Jewett, whose reputation as a jurist, lawyer, and politician was well 
known and is now a matter of history. He was bom in Skaneateles in the year 
1816, and during his minority was both physically and mentally a lad of uncom- 
mon promise. He was educated at Yale College, and, possessing a splendid 
intellect, combined with a genial, social temperament, a ready wit, and genuine 
kindness of heart, he was always a cordial favorite in the extensive circle of his 
acquaintance. 

He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1852, and was reelected from year to 
year until 1857, in his native village, in which capacity ho always acted as a peace- 
maker, never encouraging petty litigation or quarrelsome suits. He was elected 
Supervisor of the town in the year 1848 for a full term, until 1849. As heir to his 
father's wealth (he having been the only child of his parents) he was placed above 
the necessity of pursuing the profession of the law, to which he was bred, in which 
under other circumstances he would no doubt have risen to eminence and dis- 
tinction. He died at Skaneateles. .\ugust 29, 1859, '" ''ic forty-fourth year of his 
age. His untimely death was universally lamented, more especially by those who 
knew him more intimately. 



156 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Obadiah Thorxe. — Obadiah Thorne was born in Washington, Dutchess 
County, N. Y., October i, 1805, and came to Marcellus, where he settled on Mih- 
tary Lot No. 61, which became afterward known as Thorne Hill in 1828. From 
there he came to Skaneateles in the year 1854, and purchased the farm then owned 
by James Balding, where he lived thirty-two years. In 1886 he removed to the 
village, on Onondaga Street, where he died April 18, 1887. Obadiah Thorne 
was a man of the strictest integrity and uprightness of life, in his business and 
social relations he enjoyed the full confidence of his fellow citizens, and was re- 
spected and loved by all who knew him. 

Thorne Hill. — Thorne Hill was named from Obadiah Thorne, who was 
instrumental in establishing the post-office and mail route, and who was for 
many years a highly respected citizen and widely known as an extensive wool 
buyer. 

William H. Pattison. — William H. Pattison was born September 12, 1814, 
at Palatine Bridge, N. Y., and came here in 1866. He commenced the hardware 
business by buying out the firm of Middlebrook & Payne, and formed a partner- 
ship with George D. Downey in same year (1866). The firm name was Pattison 
& Downey, which continued in business four years, and then dissolved, W. H. 
Pattison continuing the business in his own name about a year. He sold out 
partially to Perry Foote, when the firm name was Pattison & Foote. W. H. 
Pattison sold out his interest in 1874 to Mrs. John M. Nye. He died June 5, 
1874. 

Charles F. Merrill. — Dr. Charles F. Merrill was in his day one of the best 
known fishermen in this vicinity. Strangers, attracted by the inviting appearance 
of the lake and its characteristics as a sporting body of water for angling, always 
sought the services of Dr. Merrill, who seemingly knew the location of all the 
best fishing-grounds. He spent much of his leisure time on the lake, and as he 
had much leisure he was always available. His medical practise in the village 
was more or less limited, but there were many throughout the town who had 
great confidence in his ability for the treatment of disease. His great forte was 
in administering simple remedies, which from their nature were particularly 
successful with nervous patients, many of whom were suft'ering from imaginary 
complaints. His medicines were of the most simple nature. To explain their 
simplicity, it may be stated that, by arrangement with one of the drug-stores, he 
would get quite a large number of vials, from two to four ounce capacity, par- 
tially fill each one with simple sirup, then would go all over the shelves, and select 
for each bottle some simple drug which was innocuous and variegated in char- 
acter. To some he would add coloring matter. In fact, after he completed his 
stock of curables, and placed all the bottles in the capacious side-pockets of his 
sack-coat, he was in shape to meet a patient on the street. On such occasions, 
after learning the distressful symptoms, he would immediately search his pockets 
for the suitable medicine, taking each bottle and removing the cork, thus as- 
certaining its peculiar odor, until the correct one came to his attention. Then 



HISTORY OF SK.-tNEATELES. 157 

he would give minute directions how it was to be taken, at the same time direct- 
ing the patient to refrain from drinking any spirituous liquor, beer, or strong 
coffee or tea, and to eat simple food, but not to overeat any food. His patients 
were generally benefited by his medicines and treatment. 

He made many excursions into adjoining towns and villages. On these 
occasions he would previously send handbills to be placed in public places, in- 
viting public notice of his future visit. Here is a copy of one of these : 

Extraordinary. 

To my Friends and Patrons : 

Dr. 

C. F. Merrill, 

Will be at the 

Boutelle House. Amber, 

Thursday. April 8th, 1875. 

.■\11 those in need of 

Medical -Attendance 

Or Advice 

Are requested to call at his rooms. 

Especially those who have been unsuccessfully 

Treated by other physicians 

A Specialty, 

And treated confidentially. 

Yours truly, 

C. F. Merrill, M.D. 

On these expeditions he was always dressed in his best suit, and left this vil- 
lage in a stylish carriage and a fine span of horses. He was a kind-hearted man, 
had many friends, and as a physician was quite as successful in the treatment 
of physical ills as any other physician in this vicinity. 

EzEKiEL B. HovT.— Ezekiei B. Hoyt, born at Ridgefield, Conn., March 24, 
1823, was a son of William and Esther Beers Hoyt, both natives of Ridgefield. In 
September, 1823, William Hoyt moved with his family to the town of Sennett, 
Cayuga County, X. Y. Here Ezckiel lived until his eighteenth year, doing such 
farm work as his age permitted during the sunmier months, and attending the 
district school during the winter. There were thirteen children in the family- 
nine boys and four girls. It was the policy of the parents to have eacli son learn 
a trade. One was a cabinet-maker, and three others worked at the carpenter and 
millwright trades. The mother concluded that Ezekiei should learn to be a 
mason, so in 184 1 he was apprenticed to the mason trade with Douglass & Billings 
of Auburn. In 1847. after his health gave way, he embarked in other enterprises 
at various places. He with his brother Edward S. Hoyt established a general 
store at Mottville. N. Y. In 1852 he was married to Miss Mary E. Delano, of 
Mottville. and in December of the same year he purchased a one-third interest 
in, and assumed the management of. the foundry and machine shop established by 
his father-in-law. Howard Delano, in 1832. In 1874 he purchased the remaining 



158 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

two-thirds of the property. In after years Mr. Hoyt was engaged in various 
enterprises within this town, on the outlet of Skaneateles Lake, in all of which his 
exceptional business ability was most prominent. On January n, 1867, Mr. 
Hoyt's first wife died. On July i, 1872, he married Miss Mary J. Wheeler, 
daughter of the late Dr. Jared W. Wheeler, of Elbridge, N. Y., who survives 
him. He was a man of the strictest integrity and uprightness of life, respected 
and loved by all who knew him, and whose family life was beyond reproach. He 
died at his home, in the village of Skaneateles, November 17, 1895. 

George F. Leitch. — The following notice of our late fellow townsman, 
George F. Leitch, is copied from the Albany Evening Journal, and will be read 
with interest by his numerous friends in this vicinity : 

" George F. Leitch, Esq., of Skaneateles, who twelve years ago was with- 
drawn from a field of active enterprise and usefulness by the derangement of 
some of the delicate machinery of life, which caused a dizziness in the head and 
a partial paralysis of the limbs, died at his residence on the 20th ultimo, aged 
forty-three years. Mr. Leitch was a gentleman of handsome professional attain- 
ments and much personal worth. He was much devoted to business when, by 
the death of his father-in-law, the late Daniel Kellogg, the management of a 
large and complicated estate devolved upon him. The illness from which he 
suiifered so many years was probably occasioned by the over-taxation of mind and 
body. When, in 1843, Mr. Leitch's health required relaxation from business, 
he went with us to Europe. In London the paralysis began to develop. In Paris 
he consulted an eminent physician, who, in a written opinion, pronounced the 
case not only remediless, but one that would terminate fatally. Mr. Leitch, after 
reading this opinion, very calmly remarked that, though his case was beyond the 
reach of medical science, he was not to be killed off in that summary manner by a 
French doctor. On his return, Mr. Leitch passed several years in water cure es- 
tablishments, by which he was benefited, and at times hoped for restoration. 
But it was a question of time only. There was no remedy for a disease that had 
finally worn him out. Though so long lost to the busy world, there are many in 
it who remember, as we do, the many good qualities of his head and heart." 

Freeborn G. Jevvett. — Freeborn G. Jewett was born at Sharon, Conn., in 
1791, and in youth received only those advantages of education which are com- 
mon to the children of New England. He commenced the study of law with 
Henry Swift, of Dutchess County, and completed his course with Colonel Young, 
at Ballston, being admitted as an attorney in 1814, and as a counselor at law 
in 1817. He came to Skaneateles and commenced the practise of law, entering 
into partnership with the Flon. James Porter. In 1815 he was appointed Master 
in Chancery by' Governor Tompkins. In 1817 he was elected a Justice of the 
Peace for the then town of Marcellus, which office he held for about six years. 
In 1822 he was appointed an Examiner in Chancery by Governor Clinton, and 
afterward to the same office by Governor Yates, and again by acting Governor 
Tliroop. In 1824 he was appointed Surrogate of Onondaga County by De Witt 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. «5y 

Clinton, and in 1827 again to the same office by Governor Yates. In 1825 lie 
was elected to the Assembly of this State, leading his ticket in the county, and in 
1828 he was chosen one of the Electors of President and Vice-President of the 
United States, and cast his vote for the ever-memorable and ever-honorable 
Andrew Jackson. He was elected a member of the Twenty-second Congress 
of the United States in 1830, and declined a renomination in 1832, preferring to 
devote himself to the practise of his profession and to remain in the enjoyment 
of his own home. In 1832, he was admitted as an attorney and counselor in the 
Supreme Court of the United States, in 1836 he was appointed by Governor 
Marcy a Supreme Court Conmiissioner for the county of Onondaga, and again 
in 1838 he was appointed to the same office, and also one of the Inspectors of the 
State Prison at Auburn. In 1839 he was appointed District Attorney in and for 
the county of Onondaga, which office he held for about six months. In 1845 he 
was appointed by Governor Wright one of the Justices of the Supreme Court, 
and upon the organization of the Court of Appeals in 1847 he was elected one of 
the members of that high and honorable Court. In 1849 he was elected to the 
same position, which he held till 1853, when, in consequence of an attack of that 
fatal disease which terminated his life, he resigned his place upon the bench. 

Such has been his career in life. By his own energies and his own merits he 
rose, if not to the highest political station, to the most dignified and exalted posi- 
tion in the Empire State. In every place he was equal to the duties he was re- 
quired to perform, and their performance was creditable to himself and satisfactory 
to his friends. As a man, he was honorable; as a friend, reliable; as a counselor, 
judicious; and as a jurist, sound and discriminating. He obtained wisdom by 
research, and wealth by industry, and was thus an example to the young worthy 
of their imitation. He died January 27, 1858, aged sixty-seven years. 

Spe.ncer Hannum. — Spencer Hannum was born in Williamsburg, Mass., 
in 1799, and came to Skaneateles in 1828. While here he was one of the most 
enterprising mechanics and manufacturers for thirty-four years. During this 
period he erected a foundry and machine-shop on the site of Dorastus Kellogg's 
woolen factory after its destruction by fire. The foundry and machine-shop were 
afterward burned January 6, 1850. He rebuilt his machine-shop and foundry, 
and operated it under the name of Hannum & Arnold, in 1850, after which it 
passed into the possession of Samuel M. Drake. Hannum removcfl to Auburn, 
and was engaged in business there for several years. Finally, when in declining 
health, he returned to Williamsburg, Mass., his birthplace, and died on Christmas 
Day, December 25, 1878, in the seventy-ninth year of his age. 

The Diefendorf Families in this Town. — Military Lot No. S7 in this town 
was drawn by the Revolutionary soldier Lieutenant Henry Dicfendorph. A num- 
ber of farmers of the same name have lived on that lot for many years. A 
letter of inquiry was recently addressed to the only farmer of that name now re- 
siding in this town, George E. Diefendorf, who writes that his father, Jacob Die- 
fendorf. first came into this town in the year 1824, from the town of Sharon, 



i6o HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Schoharie County, N. Y., and settled on Lot No. 87. His sons were Abraham, 
Jacob, Peter, and Barney, all of whom were farmers on Lot No. 87. 

George E. Diefendorf, who furnishes this statement, now owns the same farm, 
and states that he never heard of Lieutenant Henry Diefendorph, and does not 
know that any of his father's family was related to him. 

James Cannings Fuller. — ^James Cannings Fuller first came from England 
to Skaneateles in 1834. He purchased the Nicholas Thorne property soon after 
his arrival here. It was sold at foreclosure sale. J. C. Fuller belonged to the So- 
ciety of Friends. He was actively engaged in the antislavery, temperance, and 
other moral and benevolent enterprises, devoting his time and money liberally for 
their promotion. To natural quickness of perception and energy of character 
he united an extensive knowledge of men and things. Although his views were 
radical, which were in conflict with the popular sentiment, he advocated them with 
an earnest boldness which, if it failed to convince, denoted its sincerity and honest 
conviction of their soundness and importance. He died November 25, 1847, aged 
fifty-four years, in this village, while his wife and daughter were on a visit to Eng- 
land. Only one of his children was with him when he died. 

Edward B. Coe. — Edward B. Coe was born in the village of Auburn, Decem- 
ber 29, 1822. A few years thereafter his parents removed to Canandaigua, where 
his father, Chauncey H. Coe, died, in 1835. Mother and family, which included 
a daughter, removed to Skaneateles in 1837. About 1846 Edward B. Coe and 
Charles Goodall went on a three-year whaling voyage to the Pacific Ocean. Soon 
after their return home in 1849 the California gold fever broke out, and they both 
decided to go to California. Goodall shipped aboard a vessel bound around Cape 
Horn, and E. B. Coe took the route across the Isthmus. The following extract 
from a letter written to the author by Captain Charles Goodall, dated February 
9, 1899, gives an account of how and where they met after their arrival in Cali- 
fornia : 

" I saw nothing of Edward until I met him in Sacramento, in May, 1850. I 
was working in the mines, and went to Sacramento to buy provisions and a mule 
to pack them to the diggings. After paying for my mule and his load, I went 
down to the river to look at the water, and, while standing up against a wood- 
pile admiring the beauties of the muddy stream, I heard a voice that I thought I 
knew. I looked around behind the wood-pile, and, behold ! young man Edward 
was there. He was captain of a small schooner, and was ordering the chief mate, 
the cook, and all hands before the mast, which by the way consisted of a single 
individual, to haul the vessel up to the wood-pile. We had a few minutes' con- 
versation, finding out as much as we could at the time where each other had been 
and with what success we had paddled our canoes. The next I heard of Edward 
was the letter from your good self asking me how long since I had seen him. My 
reply was as above, and I heard nothing more of him until reading in the Skan- 
eateles Democrat (which I have taken ever since I have been in California) of his 
arrival at home. I did not come across the Isthmus with Edward, and I do not 



fllSTORy or SK.lMl.lTIlLnS. i6i 

recollect his tellint; inc abuut it ; but I came around Cn\>c Morn in a small schooner 
called the St. Mary, leaving New < )rleans on the in'i "f March, 1849. and arriv- 




ing 111 .-^all 1 i.iiicisco on the 25tli of January. 1850. Ix-inp; three lunvlrcd and 
twenty-two days making the voyajjc. two months of whicii was spent around 
Cape Horn, in the dead of winter, in the mr)ntlis of .\ugusl and September, with- 



i62 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

out making an inch of progress toward California. Of course you know all about 
lidward's subsequently coming to California, and about the unfortunate loss of 
the steamer Queen." 

Edward B. Coe did not succeed very well with his little schooner. In the 
latter part of the year 1850 he shipped on board a ship bound for China, and from 
that time he was not heard of for the space of twelve years, when he returned 
home to Skaneateles suddenly. 

The following account of his adventures was published in a Rochester news- 
paper many years ago : 

"A Strange, Romantic, and Interesting Story. — A correspondent of the 
Lockport Union narrates that Chauncey H. Coe, of Canandaigua, died in 1835, 
leaving a widow, son, and daughter, with a competence. The widow devoted her- 
self to her children. The daughter grew up and married. The son, upon at- 
taining his majority, engaged in a manufacturing business, but in 1849 ^^^^ '^'^ 
business and went out to California. Soon after arriving, his factory was de- 
stroyed by fire, and he found himself penniless in the streets of San Francisco. 
He suddenly disappeared, and for twelve years his fate was unknown. Mean- 
time, some few years after his disappearance, a childless uncle (Bela D. Coe, of 
Buffalo) died, and by will left to him and his sister ample property for life, with 
reversion to their children, but with a provision that, in case of their death with- 
out issue, the reversion should go to two educational and charitable institutions. 
Under the will the sister has enjoyed her share of the rents and profits. The 
share of the lost one meantime was, under the direction of the court, deposited 
in a savings-bank, until, after some seven years having elapsed, the two reversion- 
ary institutions instituted proceedings to secure his share of the property. The 
court, upon a full hearing, decided that after this lapse of time, without his beini; 
discovered, he must be judicially dead, and that one of the claimants should enlcr 
u|3on the enjoyment of its portion of the rents and profits. As to the other, its 
charter not permitting it to take real estate, it was thrown out altogether, and 
that share, not being legally conveyed by the will, reverted to the heirs at law un- 
conditionally, who are these same children. 

" During all this time the sister's husband, with a zeal and pertinacity worthy 
of all commendation, has been unremitting in his endeavors to find the lost one. 
He at first obtained from the Department of State at Washington the names and 
location of all th(j United -States consuls and commercial agents in all parts of 
the world. A circular was printed in red and black letters offering a reward of 
two hundred dollars for any information of Edward B. Coe, at the same time 
giving a minute description of his person, particularly that he had his name. 
E. B. Coe, tattooed on his left arm. These circulars were mailed to every United 
Stales Consul in all parts of the world, and also to all American merchants 
everywhere. The circular requested that it be posted in a conspicuous place. 
A copy of this circular was advertised in the Whaleman's Journal, which was 
circulated among all the whalcships in all parts of the world. Aft,or all else had 



HISTORV Ul- SK.IMiATELES. 163 

been cuiupcllcd to believe him long dead, the husband has continued to spend 
time and money in his discovery. He has received many communications from 
sea captains and others professing to give information which has proved always 
erroneous. He has insisted that the lost one was living, while all other persons 
believed him dead, and by his insistence he has kept up the hope of both mother 
and sister of eventually seeing the lost son and brother, until at last every en- 
deavor proved futile, and even a mother's hope discouraged, whose locks have 
become white in the long, sleepless agony of waiting for the return of an only and 
beloved son. Within the last month (latter part of 1861J, suddenly, and without 
the least previous notice, the truant drives up to his mother's door. Alive and 
well, with face bumed and bronzed to parchment by exposure to sun and wind, he 
has come back at last to that mother and that sister who have so long mourned 
him as dead and lost to them forever. 'And there was joy in that house.' 

" And where upon earth has the truant been hidden, that a mother's and a sis- 
ter's love could not find him? Why, in about the only part of the globe which 
has not been searched for him. In South Africa, far up from the Cape for many 
years. In China at one time. He was employed in the Caffre war. He has 
hunted elephants and zebras. He has dealt in and drove cattle, and traded with 
the natives. He has met losses by wreck and fire. He has suffered fevers and 
the accidents of a wandering life, until at last, in advancing years, the yearning 
once more to see his native land and embrace his aged mother and his sister 
became too strong to be resisted. He sailed for Liverpool, and thence to New 
York, and on his arrival there he for the first time heard tidings of his mother 
and sister. He was then forty years of age. He remained in Skaneateles alwut 
twenty years, embarking in various lines of business, and, having been popular, 
he was elected Supervisor of the town. In his business operations he became in- 
volved in unsurmountable difficulties which caused him the loss of all his property. 
Dcforc this tlisaster he married Mrs. Emily R. Hazen, about 1862. The result 
of that marriage was the birth of a daughter, July 8, 1863. 

" .\s his old friend Captain Charles Cioodall was largely interested in the con- 
struction of an ocean steamship at Philadelphia which was destined for San 
Francisco, he applied to Goodall for a position on board that steamship, which 
he readily secured. He left Skaneateles for Philadelphia in 1882, at which time 
the steamer Queen of the Pacific was about to leave for San Francisco. He bid 
adieu to his family, his mother and sister, and many friends, .\fter a voyage 
of about si.x weeks, he arrived at San I'rancisco. The Queen then commenced 
her trips from San Francisco to and from Portland, Oregon, laden with freight 
and with many passengers. He remained on Iward of the Queen of the Pacific 
until his deatli, which occurred September 5, 1883. His death was of a melan- 
cholv nature. He had become low-spirited at the prospect of life before him. as 
it were, commencing life again at the advanced age of sixty-one. With no 
bright future before him. he secretly made preparations for death, and on Sep- 
tember 5. 1883, plunged into the- sea, at a time when the steamship had bcconte 



i64 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



aground off the mouth of the Columbia River, and while the officers and crew 
of the ship were engaged in throwing over the cargo into the ocean to lighten 
the ship. Every effort was made to recover his body, which was unsuccessful. 
He had previously been ill on board the steamer, which depressed his spirits. 
His wife, who had previously come to San Francisco, and was there at the time of 
his death, died in Xew York, May 21, 1887. His only descendant is his daugh- 
ter, now Mrs. Millie L. Nugent, and her family of four daughters." 



WT^ 




^™^"2r^aB 


■^■1 


^^^ 


# 


m 


^ 




-W. • 


/ 


|i||^B','^»-vy|H 




■1 


. 


■ /ii^^^l 




1 


^ 





We herewith jjresent an engraved copy of a recent jihotograph of mother and 
daughters. 

.\ii.\EU L.\WTON. — Abner Lawton came to Skaneatcles. from the town of 
Washington, Dutchess County, N. Y., with his wife and ten children, in the 
\ear 1829, and settled on the west side of Skaneatcles Lake. The journey from 
Dutchess County was made by sloop on the Hudson River from Poughkeepsie to 
.Albany, which was about eighty miles ; from Albany by canal to Jordan, and from 
[iirdan by teams to the farm, three miles from Skaneatcles Village, which he 
had purchased from the Fjarbers. wlio liad previously owned the land. Three 



IIISTORV OF SK.IXE.ITELES. 165 

more chililren were born to him after he came here to reside. All of his family 
were metiibers of the Society of I'riemls. 

His wife was Phcebe Brownell, who was an aunt of the Hrownell who shot the 
man wlio killed Colonel Ellsworth, at Alexandria, Va.. during the Civil War in 
1861. Brownell was presented with a gold watch for his bravery. Several 
years ago there was a sketch of General George Washington in Harj)er's Maga- 
zine, in which was related the fact of his dancing the minuet with the gay I'olly 
Lawton. Polly was an own cousin of Abner Lawton. Several years ago there 
was a Miss Hewlett, of Auburn, who had a picture of Miss Polly. 

Epwakd Osborne Golld. — Edward Osborne Goukl was the son of Phares 
Gould, who was one of the earliest merchants of this place, and who about the year 
•838-39 purchased, from Richard Tallcot the dwelling-house and lot now owned 
and occupied by Charles H. Poor. Edward O. Gould was born in Skaneateles. 
February 13, 1814. At the age of seventeen years he was a member of the jiarty 
of sixty ladies and gentlemen which made the first excursion, on board the first 
steamboat, to the heail of the lake, in the year 1831. He was also one of the com- 
mittee which organized the public celebration of the I'ourth of July. 1835. I" 
alter years he was engaged in partnership with his father, after the latter left 
Skaneateles and went to Camillus, X. V.. in the milling business. That proving 
to be of too limited a character, he with his father removed to I'ufFalo. where in 
partnership with Dean Richmond this firm was largely engaged in the elevator 
business. Edward O. Gould died there July 31, 1858, aged forty- four years, 
while in the prime of life. 

Edward O. Gould was in partnership with Colonel Warren Hccox under the 
firm name of W. Hecox & Co., in the year 1833. Me was also associated in 
business with William Lawton under the firm name of Gould & Lawton, which 
firm advertised for sale " lUx)ts and shoes, leather, intlia-ruhber paste, blacking, 
and shoe-pegs." In his business and social relations he enjoyed the full confi- 
dence of his fellow citizens, retained warm friendships, universal respect, and 
high esteem, and his life was in every phase exemplary. 

Glimpse of Sk.\ne.\tei-es .\ni) it.s StRKoiNDiNCS Xinetv Years .^go. — The 
following extract is taken from a book of "Travels in the I'nited States of 
.America, in the years 1806 to 181 1." by John Mclish, Philadelphia, 1812: 

" .Auburn, the .seat of justice of Cayuga County, was laid out ten years ago, 
containing about one hundred houses and six hundred inhabitants. The public 
buildings are a court-house, jail, church, and academy. There are eight stores, 
three taverns, and a weekly news])aper. 

" Xovember 9, 181 1. — The morning was cloudy and agreeable. 1 travelerl 
to Skaneateles. seven miles, to breakfast. The road very muddy, atul black loam 
and clay; face of the country uneven, but not hilly; the grounds pretty well 
cleared of timber, except the roots,, which stood up all along the road, so many 
witnesses that this is a new country. I passed a number of wagons moving west- 
ward, and saw some travelers walking on foot eastward, one of whom told mc 



1 06 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

he was from Grand River, on Lake Erie, and was going to Connecticut, which 
journey, six hundred miles, he expected to accomplish in twenty days. 

" Skaneateles is a beautiful little place, situated at the outlet of the lake of the 
same name. It was laid out fifteen years ago, contains about sixty houses and 
three hundred and fifty inhabitants. The village lots are thirty by sixty feet, and 
are worth about two hundred dollars, and the outlots sell for about five hundred 
dollars an acre. There are four stores and two taverns ; a Congregational church 
with a handsome spire, situated upon the top of the hill ; two schoolmasters, who 
teach at two dollars per quarter. The principal occupations are two carpenters, 
two masons, two blacksmiths, one watchmaker, two cabinetmakers, one tailor, 
one shoemaker, two coopers, one painter, one dyer, two doctors, four lawyers, 
one clergyman. 

" There are falls in the river which issue from the lake, and the water turns 
two fulling-mills, a grist-mill, and a sawmill. A brick-yard and two distilleries 
are in the neighborhood. A great quantity of woolen cloth is manufactured 
here, and manufactories generally are interesting. The situation is healthy, and 
the view along the lake is beautiful. 

" After breakfast I passed the outlet by a wooden bridge, immediately below 
which are the mills and the mill-dam. I observed a boy fishing, and saw several 
jiretty trout lying upon the bridge. I inquired how long he had been catching 
them, and he said, ' About five minutes.' Just as he spoke, he pulled up a large 
salmon trout, and I stopped about five minutes, during which he caught three or 
four more. It was the finest fishing I ever saw. and the trout were lieautiful." 

Speaking of Utica he writes : " I proceed to enforce an opinion. The foreign 
trade is gone never to be recalled to the former state. A new era has com- 
menced in the United States. Britain is destined to be no longer the manufac- 
turer for America. The seeds of manufacture are sown throughout the coun- 
try, never to be rooted out. And so far from the interior being dependent upon 
the cities as heretofore, the cities will, in all probability, be dependent upon it. 
The cities have had their day, and now for the country." 

Skaneateles Lake.— ^Skaneateles Lake is the principal lake in Onondaga 
County, and is the highest in the county. It is eighty-eight feet above Otisco 
Lake, eight hundred and sixty feet above tide, and seventy feet above Owasco 
Lake. It is above the Limestone and among the Hamilton Shales, and is fed 
largely by springs that are not impregnated with lime, hence the water is pure and 
soft. 

Skaneateles in 1830. — The following description is taken from " The 
Jriuriial of a Tour in the State of Xew York in the year 1830," by John Fowler 
(London, 1831): "After passing the village of Marcellus, six miles further 
brought us to Skaneateles, a much larger and more interesting village, very pleas- 
antly situated, just at the foot of the Skaneateles Lake, along which you have a 
fine view for several miles. The lake is about fifteen miles in length and half to 
one and a half miles wide. In its vicinity are several genteel residences, as well as 



mSTORV Of SK.iXE.niiLES. 167 

in till- village. Also, a Friends' Boarding School. The iwpiilation of the jilace is 
estimated at three thousand." 

E.\RLY Recollections of Th.vddeus Eiuv.xhds. — Thaddeus Edwards gives 
the following summary of those in business here in 1810: 

Store-keepers: Winston Dav, Norman Leonard, Jonathan Booth, and John 
Meeker. 

Hotels: The Sherwood Tavern, where now stands the Packwood House; and 
the Dascomb House, where now stands the Wheadon vegetable grocery. 

Clergyman: Rev. Benjamin Rice. 

Carpenters : Seth and David Hall. 

Masons : Josiah Weston and Daniel McKay. 

Blacksmiths: Sylvester Roberts and John Legg. 

Watchmaker: William S. Wood. 

Cabinet-makers: Spencer Parsons and Luther Clark. 

Tailor: Thomas Greeves. 

Hatter: Benj. Hutchinson. 

Tanner: Colonel Warren Hecox. 

Shoemaker: Ezra Stephens. 

Dyer: Aaron Austin. 

Doctors : Sanuiel Porter and Dr. Pierce. 

Lawyers: Daniel Kellogg. .\. L. Beebc, John S. Furman, and .\ltnrd 
Northani. 

Grist-Mill: Jessee Kellogg. 

Distillers : Winston Day and Norman Leonard. 

Coopers : Nathaniel Eells and his son, Sylvester. 

Brickmaker : Benjamin Nye, whose yard was immediately opposite to where 
the residence of his son, J. ^L Nye, now stands. 

The Packw(x.)D C.\rri.\(;e ^L\Nl■FACTOuY. — John I'ackwood began this busi- 
ness in 1855. The extensive brick building owned and occupied by him was 
erected in 1865. He was extensively engaged in this business, manufacturing 
tine wheeled vehicles of all kinds and sleighs, for many years, after which he 
went to .Auburn, where he died. This carriage manuf.ictory was located on 
the south side of Genesee Street, immediately opposite the Packwtxjil House, on 
the lake-shore. About some ten years ago the village authorities purchased this 
property for a public park, with the intention of using this large brick building 
as an engine-house for the fire department and for a large public hall, but this was 
abandoned, the building was taken down, an<i the site cleared off for a i)ark. 

Shei'ard Settlement. — The part of the town called " Shepard Settlement " 
derived its title from the name of a numln-r of families who were first there. 
John Shtpard located there in i/'jfy, and his brothers — .\ndrew, Josei)h, and 
Hull — came several years later. They were enterjirising farmers. But one 
family of the name of Shepard now remains in that neighl)<)rli(K)d. This is 
Edward Shepard, son of John Shepard. 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



CHAPTER XII. 

The First Industries in Town and Village, Cum.mencing with the Village. 

Judge Jedediah Sanger (who owned Military Lot No. 36, on which the village 
is located) had erected a grist-mill and a sawmill in the year 1796-97. The 
builder was Jessee Kellogg. 

A tannery was established about the same time by Warren Hecox on the west 
side of the outlet. He also had a boot and shoe shop, and employed in that busi- 
ness about fifteen to twenty workmen. 

Winston Day owned a distillery, which was located along the banks of the 
outlet of the lake; and he also had a potashery, which was on the west shore of 
the lake, opposite the present residence of Edwin E. Hall and Mrs. Keeler. 

Richard Tallcot had a potashery on the lake-shore. 

The Skaneateles Manufacturing Company was composed of various local 
business men, among whom were Deacon David Hall, Lewis & Cotton, William 
Gibbs, Augustus Kellogg, and Dorastus Kellogg. This partnership did a large 
business in the manufacture of woolen cloth, and for many years sold all its 
product in and about this section of country. 

Spencer Hannum came here from Williamstown, Mass. He was a practical 
machinist. In 1830, he was doing business under the firm name of Gibbs & Han- 
num (William Gibbs). After a few years Mr. Gibbs went out of the firm, and 
it then became Hannum & Darby in the machine business, which continued a few 
years. Several other partners were later associated with Hannum, and a copart- 
nership was afterward formed with John M. Arnold, under the firm name of 
Hannum & Arnold. The business was largely extended in the manufacture of 
woolen mill machinery, which was supplied to all the mills about this section 
of the State. He had continuously from twenty to thirty workmen employed in 
the manufacture of such machinery. This firm continued many years, and was 
very successful in their manufacture and sales, after which Arnold's health began 
to fail, when he sold out to Hannum, and removed to Petersburg. \'a. Hannum 
continued the business for a few years until he removed to Auburn. This re- 
moval was the end of the extensive machine business conducted here in the village. 

Samuel M. Drake occupied the same building that Hannum vacated, but he 
only conducted a foundry, which continued a few years, doing a very limited 
business, when he sold out the foundry to Sherwood, which was the total decline 
of the foundry work here in the village. 

Sanuiel Francis did a large manufacturing business in making fur and wool 
hats for men and boys. His factory was on the lake-shore, immediately in the rear 
of his dwelling, next cast of St. James' Church. 



HlSrORV Of SKAXEATELES. "69 

George Gray was a manufacturer of thrashing-machines here from and about 
1830 to 1845. His factory was located on tlie west side of Jordan Street. 

bcth & James Hall went into business as a firm (S. & J. Hall), between 1815 
and 1820, in the manufacture of carriages and sleighs. This business was prob- 
ably first started by James Hall, on Onondaga Street. This section of the village 
was where the earliest mechanical business of the village was located, and before 
Daniel Kellogg built and located his law office there (1803). Ambrose Hecox 
had his chair and furniture factory there. Sylvester Roberts iiail his first black- 
smith-shop there. Sanuiel Francis had his hat-factory east of the present center 
of the village. 

After 1820, S. & J. Hall built the stone shoi)s on Jordan Street for a carriage 
manufactory, which are still stantling, and occupied by T. Kelley as a blacksmith- 
shop. Their business from that period increased largely. In 1832 Seth Hall 
died, and the business was continued many years under the individual name of 
James Hall, and later as the firm of Hall, Porter & Co. (J. Gurdon Porter and 
David Hall 2d). This firm failed afterward and then the business was again car- 
ried on by James Hall several years, when it was changed to Hall & Miller 
(William Hall and Alexander Miller). About 1860-62 this firm failed, and the 
business was closed up. The heaviest business and most successful period of car- 
riage manufacturing of the firm of S. & J. Hall was between 1830 and 1840. 

John Legg started a blacksmith and repair shop soon after he came here in 
1797. His first shop was on the site of the Dr. Hopkins office, now the present 
Dr. Bartlet place. As business generally increased in both town and village 
his trade extended more largely than the general growth. After a few years he 
located on the south side of the Seneca Turnpike Road, on the lake-shore, on the 
site of the present Legg block, and continued his growing business for many 
years. 

About 1835 Joe' Thayer came here, and acted as clerk and superintendent to 
John Legg's carriage and wagon shop. This accession was a fortunate one for 
John Legg. Owing to Joel Thayer's superior clerical and financial ability, the 
success of John Legg was thereafter assured. The business was soon largely in- 
creased through the business ability of Mr. Thayer, and immediately proved very 
profitable. This continued for a long term of years, when John Legg sold out to 
L. S. VVorden & Co., in 1845. After that the carriage manufacture was con- 
ducted by J. R. Gillman & Co., and afterwanl by Gillman & Stacey (William 
Stacey). Stacey went out of the firm, and Gillman continued until he removed to 
Syracuse. 

There were other carriage manufacturers, more or less prominent, during this 
period and later, among whom were the following: \'andyck & Davcy, afterward 
l>v George X'andyck alone; Bavey & Baldwin; Stacey & Packwood; and, lastly, 
John Packwood, who conducted the business a number of years, when lie finally 
removed to .Xuhurn, where lie flied. 

The carriage maiuifacturing business was at its highest pinnacle from 1S30 to 



[70 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 



1850, when it gradually began to decline, and so continued until about 1865, when 
all the previous manufacturers were out of business, except John Packwood, 
who continued about twelve years longer. Of course, the business of the mer- 
chants gradually declined proportionally. There was a more or less extensive 
local business done by the various builders, blacksmiths, tailors, shoemakers, mil- 
liners, printing-offices, and other industries. 

B. & J. Petheram, cabinet-makers, had a furniture-store, at the place now 
occupied by Feeley & Durkan, from 1836 to 1846. Benjamin Petheram came here 
in 1832, and died December 9, 1894, aged seventy-eight. 

Daniel Watson did a large boot and shoe business from 1820 to 1825. Alfred 
Hitchcock came with Watson as clerk, and afterward went into partnership with 
him, under the firm name of Watson & Hitchcock. Ut. Watson died a few years 
later, and Hitchcock continued the business for nearly thirty-five years afterward. 

IXDUSTRIES IN "THE ToWN OF Sk..\NE.\TELES OuTSIDE OF THE VlLL.\GE. — 

Archibald Douglass was engaged in the manufacture of thrashing-machines and 
tanning-mills at Clift's Corners, and carried on a large business there for many 
years, and until after 1 850. 

Dorastus Kellogg carried on an extensive woolen manufacturing business at 
what was then called Kellogg's Factory, but now better known as Willow Glen. 
He was the original manufacturer of double blanket shawls, and was largely en- 
gaged for many years in the manufacture of woolen cloth and cassimeres. He 
had in his employ from one hundred and fifty to two hundred employees, both men 
and women. About 1861, or at the commencement of the Civil War, he failed. 
This was a period of great business depression. He afterward resumed the same 
line of business on a large scale, through the assistance of his New York Com- 
mercial friends (supposed to be Messrs. Hoyt, Sprague & Co.), at Oswego Falls, 
about one mile up the river from Fulton, N. Y., and contiiuicd the manufacture 
there for several years on a large scale, but hard times came on thereafter, arising 
probably from the panic of 1873. Hoyt, Sprague & Co. took possession of the 
woolen mill and ran it on their own name. Kellogg did not again engage in wool 
manufacturing. On the lot where he lived, on the west side of the river, oppo- 
site Fulton, was what he supposed a valuable quarry of flagstones, which ex- 
tended into the river. He commenced to work the quarry, but for some cause it 
proved unsuccessful, and it was abandoned. That ended his business career. 
He died February i, 1883, aged seventy-five years. 

M.\bbitt's Mills. — Below Kellogg's Factory a flouring-mill was conducted 
by John H. Mabbitt, Arthur Mott, Earlls, Kellogg & Co., and afterward by other 
persons. It was then changed to a distillery, which was run by various parties, 
among whom were Wickes, Ilorton & Co. After several years it was changed to 
a paper-mill, and conducted by various firms. It is now conducted by the Skan- 
eateles Paper Company. 

Another industry on the outlet was Farll's distillery and linsccd-oi! mill, which 
were conducted bv Daniel Farll and his successive partners, who were, including 



HISTORY or SKAXJLITELES. i7' 

his brothers. John H. Earll, Dclos Earll, his son Leonard H. Earll. Augustus P. 
Earll. his brother-in-law Charles Tallman of Syracuse, and John Kellogg. This 
business was probably established about 1820-25, and was continued until about 
1870, when it was changed to a paper-mill and passed into other hands. 

Industries .\t Mottville. — There has been from time to time more or less 
manufacturing at Mottville. among which was a woolen mill, originally conducted 
by Arthur Mott (during his prosperous times) and Ansel Frost, and afterward by 
C. Pendleton and by Charles Pendleton & Sons. These parties managed it for 
many years, when the building was converted into a flour-mill. 

Another woolen mill was established in a frame building which was erected 
here and the business conducted for many years by Thomas Morton and partners. 

A. R. Reynolds conducted a fork and hoe factory in a stone building at this 
place, and the business was continued profitably until the introduction of mowers 
and reapers, when Mr. Reynolds became largely engaged in the manufacture of 
knives for both mowers and reapers. His skill in tempering the knives secured 
him a very e.xtensive and profitable business, his largest customer for the knives 
being B. M. Osborne & Co.. of Auburn, which led Reynolds to remove his busi- 
ness to .\uburn. 

.\ brewery was also established here in a stone building, and was conducted 
by Hunsicker Brothers, and afterward by Elias Hunsicker. 

.\ wheel-head factory was conducted by .\. Blodgett & Co. Other implements 
of wood were also made here. It is supposed that Amos Miner had an interest in 
this manufactory. At any rate, wheel-heail.'; and other inventions under his pat- 
ents were made there. 

Howard Delano, for many years by himself and with various partners, con- 
ducted a large foundry and machine-shop, manufacturing heavy mill machinery, 
water-wheels, and similar work. It also turned out agricultural implements, such 
as plows, drags, plow-points, etc. 

Bki.ow Mottvili^e — Lo.NG Rkidc.e. — .A. flour-mill, originally knmvn as the 
Weed Mill, was conducted for many years by Lucian Beach. 

There was a sawmill lower down the outlet. 

.■\ paper-mill was afterward built on the site of the sawmill, but it was de- 
stroyed by fire some time after. 

Immediately below the Weed Mill, on the banks of the outlet, was a tannery 
in the early days of 1820-30. It is supposed to have been owned by Colonel 
Hiram Earll. 

I'.elow the tannery, on the site of the present Sinclair's chair- factory, was a 
woolen mill, owned by Lucius Mellen and Jeremiah Mellcn (brothers), who 
conducted it for many years. 

Below on the outlet, Hiram I'.arll conducted a sawmill and a lime-kiln for 
many years. 

Down the outlet, and below Hiram Earll's sawmill, on what was known as the 
Communitv Farm, the Community built a sawmill. This was conducted for a 



172 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

number of years, after the Community dissolved, by Samuel Sellers, and then by 
Hezekiah Earll when he had purchased the Community Farm. On the decease 
of Hezekiah Earll he devised the Community Farm to his son George H. Earll, 
who erected a distillery on the north side of the outlet. It cost about thirty or 
forty thousand dollars and had all the modern improvements for distilling, but 
was built too late to be profitable to run, and proved a disastrous investment to 
him. It was then purchased bv F. G. Weeks, and converted into a paper-mill in 

i875- 

South of this site was the oldest paper-mill in town, among the proprietors of 
which were Reed & Case, Ray & Bannister, Bannister & Hubbard, and, in 187 1, 
F. G. Weeks. It was destroyed by fire, February 9, 1877, and rebuilt on a larger 
scale by F. G. Weeks. 

North of the Earll distillery was, and is, the Morton Woolen ^lill. It was 
erected by Thomas Morton and E. B. Hoyt in 1867. In 1875 Mr. ]\Iorton be- 
came sole owner, and in 1879 the plant passed to his son Gavin. 

The Skaneateles Lime Works was established in i860 by P. C. Carrigan. and 
afterward conducted by George H. Earll, Eben Bean, and E. B. Coe. Subsequent 
proprietors were E. B. Hoyt & Co. and P. C. Carrigan & Co. At one period it 
was a very profitable business. 

The Skaneateles Iron Works were in full blast here, a full description of which 
is given in Chapter X\'II. 

On the outlet a distillery was established and conducted by the firm of Heze- 
kiah Earll & Co. This was situated on the Hart lot. 

When Hezekiah Earll came to this town with his father. General Robert 
Earll, in 1796, the latter built the Red House. Hezekiah, when he was a young 
man of about thirty years of age and was first married, is supposed to have received 
from his father the farm now owned by Emerson H. Adams. After living on 
that farm a while, he removed to what is now known as the Hart lot, and became 
largely engaged in distilling, milling, and farming. He also had a sawmill 
there. It was probably not far from the year 1820 that he began business there. 
The business was conducted for a great number of years under the firm name of 
Hezekiah Earll & Co., and then under Earlls, Thayer & Co. These partners were 
his son-in-law Holland W. Chadwick, John Legg, Joel Thayer, and Hezekiah's 
son Julius. Between 1835 '1"^' 1840 these parties discontinued the milling busi- 
ness, and confined themselves strictly to distilling, farming, and fattening cattle 
and hogs. About 1850 Hezekiah Earll purchased the Community Farm, con- 
sisting of about three hundred acres, moved on it as a residence, and com- 
menced farming on a large scale, raising large crops of tobacco, the cultivation 
of which was very materially enhanced by the rich manure obtained from the dis- 
tillery farm. 

About 1860-61, or at the commencement of the Civil War, Congress laid a 
revenue tax of two dollars a gallon on all whisky manufactured after the first 
(lav of July ensuing after the act became a law, in consequence of which every 



IIISTOR] ('/ .•y^.tXHATELHS. '73 

distillery ihroughout the country, ami particularly the Earll distillery, ran day and 
night, without intermission, and with all the force obtainable, until the last hour 
of June 30, thus accumulating a large stock of whisky, which, as if by magic, 
immediately became worth two dollars a gallon more than it was previously sala- 
ble for, thus netting the two brothers Julius and Georg..- H. Earll thousands and 
thousands of dollars. Julius had the largest share of the profits. Shortly after 
that operation the distillery was converted into the present Hart Lot Paper Mill. 
George H. Earll invested his share of the profits in erecting the new distillery on 
the north side of the outlet, next north of the Community sawmill. The invest- 
ment, however, proved a failure. 

The Rise .\nd Fall ok Merc.xntile and Industrial Prosperity in Both 
Town and Village. — The high-water mark of mercantile prosperity culminated 
about the year 1836, at which time all business throughout the whole country 
was in a state of the greatest magnitude. The mercantile business here in this 
village and town barely held its own for a few years after 1837, when it began 
very gradually to decline, and has continued to decline every year since. The 
business done here in this village and town in 1836 has never been equaled since, 
and never will be. The industries within the village were at their greatest height 
of prosperity between 1830 and 1850, after which date there has been a continual 
and gradual decline. The industries below the village and on the outlet of the 
lake have gradually declined since the business panic of 1837, but in not so great 
a proportion as the village manufactures. 

The Earliest Industry in this Town. — The earliest industry in Skaneateles 
was really the traffic in wood-ashes, which was derived from the consumjition of 
firewood for household purposes. There were two classes of ashes, as appears 
from the sales thereof in the old account-books, the high-priced being the house- 
hold ashes, and the low-priced being ashes derived from burning tree-brush in 
the forest. According to a ledger of 1805, the best ashes were jnirchased by the 
merchants at sixpence per bushel in trade for household necessities. A few of 
the early merchants owned potasheries on the lake-shore, and they were jirincipally 
the merchants wiio purchased the wood-ashes. Other merchants also bought 
ashes and traded the same to tiic potasheries. receiving potash in payment. 

This early product. Potash, was the principal commercial article that was sent 
to Albany, which, being at the head of navigation on the Hudson River and in 
direct communication with the city of \ew York, was the only market for this 
output. Our merchants, in return from tlic sales of this potash, received 
groceries, dry-goods, hardware, drugs, medicines, etc. It took a horse-team at 
that period, 1805, fourteen days to make the journey to Albany and back, with a 
load each way. and often much longer. Ox-teams were also used for not only 
potash, but for produce, particularly to I'tica. 

The earlv settler immediately cleared ofT some of his lands and cultivated the 
new grounds for the necessities of his houscholrl. and from year to year kept en- 
larging the area of his cleared land and raising more crops until he created a sur- 



174 HISTORY or SKAXEATELES. 

plus. The produce for the markets, after the settlers had prospered and were 
enabled to produce more than for the needs of their families, was shipped to 
Albany, and traded off for such articles as were needed. 

The early settlers, on their first arrival here in the forest, after a tedious jour- 
ney from their old homes, experienced great difficulty in procuring the means of 
support. The provisions which they had brought with them were not sufficient 
for the support of their families until they could plant and raise corn and pump- 
kins, consequently they had to obtain supplies from the towns of Aurelius and 
Scipio, which had been settled earlier, and at that time were included in Onondaga 
Coimty. 

The experience of Warren Hecox, one of our early settlers, is thus related: 
" In 1795, he stated that there was an uncommon scarcity of grain, and that he 
had to send to Scipio, twenty miles, and gave two dollars and fifty cents for one 
bushel of wheat, and he could only raise money enough to purchase a single bushel 
at a time. He hired a horse at fifty cents a day, and sent a boy eighteen miles to 
Montville, in Sempronius, to get the bushel of wheat ground, which took two 
days, because the mills had stopped running at Hardenburgh's Corners (now 
Auburn) and at Camillus on account of the great drought of that season. This 
was not a solitary instance, as his neighbors were in the same predicament, and 
some even were worse ofif, for they could neither get money nor wheat." 

Another early industry, after the pioneers had begun to prosper and to raise 
a greater crop of wheat and corn, was the establishment of distilleries for the 
manufacture of whisky. These industries were enabled to get the raw material, 
corn and wheat, at a mere nominal rate, consequently they could and did furnish 
iheir product, whisky, at very reasonable prices. It was the fashion, in those early 
times, for every family to have set out on some piece of furniture, a sideboard, for 
instance, a decanter, pitcher of water, and tumblers, as a friendly greeting and 
invitation for neighbors and other friends. The decanter, of course, was always 
kept filled with native whisky. 

The establishment of distilleries furnished a good market for cord-wood, 
which, according to the old ledgers, was sold at seventy-five cents per cord. The 
settlers, therefore, in clearing their land had a good market for all their fire-wood, 
as the distilleries required large quantities of cord-wood, and as the country ad- 
vanced in prosperity the distilleries increased in numbers, and finally, when the 
railroads became established, cord-wood became in greater demand than ever, and 
prices advanced accordingly. The face of the country of the town of Skaneateles 
shows that the original forests have entirely disappeared, owing to the early de- 
mand, not only by the numerous distilleries, but also by the railroads. 

The raising of cattle for sale was among the early industries here. In a ledger 
of 1805, an entry was made as follows: 

" Joseph Loss, for driving oxen to Xcw Haven i. 10. o." 

Whether these figures referred to pounds sterling or Spanish milled dollars and 



mSTOKi ,.'/• .^r..i.M:.ilELES. 175 

their divisions is not known. Later information since this was written sliows that 
these figures refer to Spanish dollars. Another entry was: 

■■ 2 o.xen i6. i6. o." 

And another : 

" 2 oxen 21. 12. o." 

Here is an entry for — 

•■ 2 bbls. Potash, weighing 7 cwt.. i qr., 18 lb., amounting to. . 17. 15. 8." 
Here is another potash entry : 

■■ 1 bbl. Potash, weighing 3 cwt., 2 qr., 18 lb., amounting to. . 8. 15. 8." 
We also find the following entry : 

" Paid Joseph Loss for driving oxen to New Haven, Conn., . . i. 12. o." 

.\.N Lncident During the \V.\k of 1812. — In the year 1812, during the war 
.j1 tiiat period, there was about half a mile north of the village of Marccllus a 
central point where there was a grist-mill and whisky-still, which in those days 
was of considerable importance in furnishing a market for surplus grain which 
otherwise could not find sale nearer than Albany. There was also a wool-carding 
and cloth-dressing machine, patronized by the farmers for the purpose of having 
the product of their families' looms finished for domestic use. There was also a 
store to supply whisky and other nierchanilisc for the needy who had the where- 
withal to buy or exchange. The store and still were owned by Joseph Piatt, ami 
the still was run by Alvin North. There were also a paper-mill, owned by John 
Herring, and a powder-mill, owned by some one else. This collection of mills, 
together with the store and the still, comprised an attractive business center, where 
the inhabitants of the surrounding country met for business ]niriwscs and to dis- 
cuss the news of the day. Politics at that time were uppemiost in the public mind, 
and the war of opinions at times was very bitter by members of opix)site parties, 
which on some occasions led to literal knock-down arguments, at other times to 
fun and frolic or to the ridiculous, especially when both parties were not under 
the influence of whisky. 

CoMMtNiTY Pl.ace. — Community Place had its inception in a meeting held in 
Congregational Hall, March 22. 1843, and continued in existence until about 1845. 

About two miles north of the village of Skancateles, on the line of the railroad, 
is a locality known as the Long Hridge. I'ormerly a woolen mill was located 
there, in which Millard Fillmore, who became President of the United States, 
worked as a " bobbin l>oy." A little west of the bridge, somewhat back from the 
road, stands a substantial stone farmhouse, which is surrounded with luxurious 
growths, showing the productiveness of the soil. It is rather a romantic spot, 
located at the foot of hills which arc almost mountains. 

This old house and its farm was chosen for a purpose by John A. Collins, a 
Massachusetts man, who had been an orthodox clergyman, but had relap.sed into 
socialism and infidelity, and in consequence has a peculiar history. Making a visit 
to the vicinity in 1843. a"^' lecturing upon socialistic reform to grove meetings. 



176 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Collins picked out this house and farm for the site of a community of free- 
thinkers, and purchased the property for fifteen thousand dollars. Collins in- 
vited a large number of free-thinkers to join him in the community, and the mem- 
bership soon numbered upwards of one hundred and fifty. 

The foundation of this community movement was in the agitation of Fou- 
rierism, which was advocated by many prominent men, including William Henry 
Channing, George William Curtis, Horace Greeley, Charles A. Dana, and George 
Ripley, but it did not adhere to the religious teachings of the great French social- 
ists, Collins seeking to stamp the seal of infidelity upon the organization. This 
was distasteful to many of the members, who, under the lead of Quincy A. 
Johnson, a lawyer of Syracuse, gave form to the dissent and laid the basis for the 
ultimate dismemberment of the community. 

The tendency, also, under Collins' leadership was to free loveism, the attain- 
ment of a community of property and luve relations, through which plenty 
and intelligence, happiness, and prosperity might be ultimately secured to all 
the inhabitants of the globe, being the foundation principles. Disbelief in the 
revelations of God to man, the assertion that all religions have their origin in 
falsehood, and, while attributing admirable precepts to Jesus of Nazareth, disre- 
garding them as binding, placing Sunday on a level with other days, and de- 
ncnnicing the clergy as impostors, who are teaching doctrines which were relics 
of heathenism, were avowed tenets. Organized government was regarded as 
organized banditti, whose authority was not to be recognized, and in this view 
the communists refused to do military duty, pay personal or property taxes, 
sit upon juries, or appeal to the law for redress of grievances. 

While marriage was regarded as a true relation, and licentiousness, adultery, 
bigamy, and polygamy were repudiated, marriage ties were considered no longer 
binding when they ceased to promote love and virtue, which was the signal for 
separation. The doctrine and practise in the society, in large part, was free 
love. A vegetable diet was adopted, the killing and eating of animals con- 
demned, together with the use of all narcotics and stimulants. The members 
of the community were all expected to labor, and each was to receive the benefit 
of his or her work. 

It was calculated that four hours of daily manual labor on the part of each 
member would amply support the community. Mental culture, recreation, and 
sleep occupied the other twenty hours. Music and dancing were held as being 
essential to social welfare, and a large ball and lecture room was built. The 
membership of the community was composed largely of lawyers, physicians, and 
other professional men, and women of culture and refinement, and the frequent 
literary exercises were of a high order. The industries pursued were, in manu- 
factures, a sawmill, chair factory, and blacksmith shop, together with farming 
and gardening. 

F.lements of disintegration soon began to ]icrnicate the community. Trouble 
and faction disagreement prevailed within, and the public prejudice without was 



HISTORV OF SK.'lXEATELnS. "77 

very strong. Tlie management sank deeper and deeper into debt. The members, 
even those wlio had given all their property to the comniunity, began to desert it. 
The result was that a formal dissolution took place, and, three years after the 
community was organized, its property was given over to private parties, who 
assumed the debts. 

Collins, the originator, an able, executive man, a fine talker, and agreeable 
person, quitted the scene reluctantly, and declared that in going from it he sur- 
rendered hope, home, and friends. Ten years later he was in California gaining 
a livelihood as an auctioneer. He declared that the community e.xpcriment was 
in advance of the age, and that, when a generation came that could be educated 
up to it, it would be a success. 

It is to be said for the community that, despite all the ugly reports circu- 
lated about it, the membership was of people of high moral tone, cultured and 
refined persons for the most part, who were sincere in their experiment. Doctors 
of divinity, college professors, lawyers, and physicians adopted its theory readily, 
and labored assiduously in field, garden, and shop for the success of the enterprise, 
with the avowal that, in the adoption of its principles, a bright and better era 
would dawn upon the world. 

Like Brook Farm, the Oneida Community, and other socialistic experiments, 
the Skaneateles community failed by reason of the falsity of the underlying 
system. 

While the Skaneateles community was in operation, a memorable discussion 
took place between Horace Greeley in the New York Tribune and Henry J. Ray- 
mond in the Courier and Enquirer upon Fourierism. Greeley upholding and Ray- 
mond antagonizing it. A series of twelve articles by each of these able journal- 
ists was published, and the discussion, which presented powerful arguments for 
and against this socialistic doctrine, attracted the attention of the whole country. 

Fourierism gradually died out in the United States, and Greeley never af- 
terward publicly advocated it. 

E.NRi.v Price-S. — The early settlers, whose only fuel was fire-wood, took good 
care of the ashes on the hearth, as the potasherics paid eight cents per bushel, 
in " store pay." Ashes from burning trees and brush in the woods only brought 
six cents per bushel. Pumpkins were salable at the rate of fifty for six cents. 
Butter sold for one shilling per pound. Hay sold at six dollars per ton. 
^^utton sold at five cents per pound. Cord- wood sold at seventy-five cents per 
cord. Winston Day purchased corn for his distillery at forty-eight cents a 
bushel. Honey sold for ten cents per pound. All the prices above named were 
the regular rates from 1802 to 1806. 

The Sign ok the Indian Qit.f.x Tavern. — The sign of the Indian Queen 
Tavern was painted by Pcrley Putnam Cleavcland, who was a carriage painter 
for Scth and James Hall, about the year 1835 or later. Isaac W. Perry had 
jt painted. He had changed the name "f the tavern from " Skaneateles Hotel " 
to the " Indian Queen." 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



CHAPTER XIII. 
"Protest" Against "Protracted Meetings" and other Reminiscences. 

The "Protest" given below was printed in an extra Columbian, of which 
Milton A. Kinney was editor. He was requested to print it in his paper, but 
finally agreed to publish the protest in an extra, and made a charge of twenty- 
five or thirty dollars for printing and issuing it from the office. This publication 
was of a religious character. Kinney himself was a strong Presbyterian, while 
the parties who signed the protest were, on the contrary, rather liberal-minded 
on religious subjects. 

Edward Sandford, whose signature is the leading one, was a remarkably bright 
lawyer, and was a brother of Lewis H. Sandford, the High Chancellor. It 
was generally supposed that Edward Sandford was the author of the "Protest." 
He was one of the unfortunate cabin passengers on the ocean steamer Arctic, 
which was lost at sea by colliding with an iceberg. Just as the Arctic struck the 
iceberg, Edward Sandford was sitting with some of his fellow passengers in the 
cabin, and, when the tremendous shock came, he exclaimed, " Hit her again ! " 
Within the next few minutes he was carried to the bottom of the ocean. 

SKANEATELES COLUMBIAN— EXTRA. 
To THE Public. 

At a meeting of the inhabitants of the village of Skaneateles and its vicinity, friendly 
to Peace and Good Order in Society, convened pursuant to notice to that effect, at the house 
of Isaac W. Perry, in said village, on Wednesday, the isth day of February, 1832, General 
Robert Earll was chose President, Colonel Warren Hecox Vice President, and George A. 
Stansbury, Esq., Secretary. The object for which this meeting was called having been ex- 
plained by Messrs. Hecox and E. Sandford, it was, on motion. 

Resolved, That a committee of three, consisting of Messrs. Hecox, Sandford and Stans- 
bury, be appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the views of this meeting upon the sub- 
jects presented to their consideration. 

The committee having retired for a short time, came in and reported the following 
resolutions: 

Resolved, That the proceedings of some religious denominations in this community re- 
quire of the friends of Peace and Good Order in Society, an expression of their opinion upon 
the propriety of holding what are called " protracted meetings," and upon the measures 
adopted in conducting them. 

Resolved, That the interests of true religion are not, in the opinion of this meeting, pro- 
moted by strong appeals to the feelings when the body is in a state of weakness and exhaus- 
tion produced by protracted confinement; and that, to produce this state of exhaustion, seems 
to be one of the principal uses of such meetings. 

Resolved, That religion as well as morality require of us to perform duties to our neigh- 
bors as well as to our God, and that the devoting successive days and nights to his serv- 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. i79 

ice is nowhere required of us in the Gospel, but is in direct interference with the many other 
duties which are there required of us. 

Rcsotxcd, That while the groat charter of our liberties continues to secure to us religious 
freedom of opinion, we will act with the spirit of freemen, and disregard and contemn the 
insidious epithet of Infidel, which is the ready scourge applied to all those who doubt or ques- 
tion the divinity of these new-fangled measures. 

Which resolutions were unanimously adopted. 

Resolved, That John Legg, David Hall, and Warren Hccox, be a committee to provide 
a place to which this meeting may adjourn, and that they give public notice of the place 
they may procure: and that when this meeting adjourns, it will adjourn to Wednesday after- 
noon next, at 4 P.M., at such place as the said committee shall give notice of. 

Resolved, That Edward Sandford, George A. Stansbury, David Hall, Warren Hecox. 
and Daniel Earll, be appointed a committee to draft an address in pursuance of the sen- 
timents contained in the above resolutions, for publication; and that they report to the ad- 
journed meeting. 

The meeting thereupon adjourned. 

At the adjourned meeting on Wednesday afternoon, at 4 o'clock, the committee appointed 
to prepare an address not being ready to report, the committee appointed John Sandford, 
Alfred Wilkinson, Samuel H. Grccnman, and Ashley Clark, additional members of said com- 
mittee, and gave them power to publish the address when prepared ; and after remarks by a 
number of individuals present, upon the objects for which the meeting was called, adjourned 
without day. Robert Earll, President. 

Geo. a. Stansbury, Secretary. 

Address. 
Fellow Citizens : 

Feeling it to be a privilege we all enjoy, openly to express our sentiments upon all mat- 
ters of importance to us as a community, and willing to meet the just responsibility of such a 
step, we beg leave to address you on a subject of no little interest; — upon the propriety of 
holding what arc called protracted meetings, and upon the measures resorted to in conduct- 
ing them. 

We do not appear before you as the members of any particular denominations of Chris- 
tians, advocating in this public and unusual manner the peculiar tenets of that denomina- 
tion; nor do we appear before you as the enemies or rcvilers of religion. We are well aware, 
for the history of similar meetings has taught us, that in the absence of argument and of 
fact by which to place us in the wrong, the imputation of being infidels, enemies of religion, 
is the ready answer to the opinions we shall advance. 

The test applied to try the purity of our religious sentiments will be (for it uniformly 
has been) our approval or disapproval of these protracted meetings, and other similar means 
of creating religious excitement. To the application of such a lest of our motives we wholly 
object, and throw ourselves with confidence upon you as our judges in this matter. 

You form a jury of the neighborhood, well acquainted with our lives and characters, 
and will judge us with candor, even if you shall dissent from our opinions. In addressing 
you on this subject, we are conscientious in the belief that we act as the friends of rational 
and pure religion, the religion of the Bible; that we oppose only errors and abuses which are 
creeping in, merely because no voice is raised against them, anl which, by being confounded 
with religion itself, are creating a strong and but too general prejudice against all religion. 

We deem it our duty to stand forth manfully and check this abuse, if possible, instead 
of looking with calmness or indifference on the insidious approaches of this foe in a friendly 
garb. The course we adopt is admitted to be an unusual one ; immemorial usage has con- 
fined the public expression of views on subjects connected with religious proceedings, to the 



i8o HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

pulpit and to our religious instructors : but no usage can confer the exclusive right to this 
privilege ; it is guaranteed to each of us by our Constitution and our laws, and though min- 
isters claim to be the ambassadors of the Most High, yet we insist that their only commis- 
sion is the Bible, which is open for us all to read and judge of the powers it confers: and we 
arc individually responsible for our judgment, not to our ministers, nor to our neighbors, 
but to God and our own consciences. 

Having these opinions of our right to address you and to disapprove of any measures 
adopted in conveying religious instructions, we hold it peculiarly necessary to do so in the 
present instance, to combine public opinions against these evils, inasmuch as a weekly, nay, 
in their protracted meetings a daily opportunity is offered and freely used, of giving to 
these measures all the weight and support that line upon line and precept upon precept can 
give them. 

We would submit, then, to your candid consideration, the reasons we have for holding 
these unprecedented measures to be unauthorized by Scripture or by reason, and highly detri- 
mental, from the manner in which they are conducted, to the welfare of conmumity, and of 
individuals, and to the interest of our pure and holy religion. 

Protracted meetings are, we all must admit, truly characterized as unprecedented. It is 
within the recollection of the youngest of us, that they are but of two or three years' stand- 
ing: our fathers did not worship thus, nor our fathers' fathers in the purest days of the 
primitive church. It will be said that their novelty is no argument against their utility, for 
that the same reasoning would check all improvement and undermine at once the splendid 
schemes of extended usefulness which will stand so prominent in the history of the present 
age. We hold it, however, to be no favorable view of these protracted meetings, to consider 
them as introduced in connection with the revival system, with endeavors to prevent the trans- 
portation of the mail upon the Sabbath, and with the design which we fear is more frequently 
felt than expressed, of bringing millions of voters to the polls, who in addition to the 
questions, '' Is he honest? " " Is he capable? " will ask, " Is he a professor of religion? " But 
whether these apprehensions be well founded or not, there are certainly new and peculiar prin- 
ciples advanced in support of these measures, which require examination ; and if they are 
found unreasonable, unauthorized by Scripture, and detrimental to society and to religion, 
they ought to be suppressed, as they can be by the force of public opinion. 

In our remarks on this subject, we intend to make no particular reference to the pro- 
tracted meeting lately held in this village. We would avoid everything which may appear 
like personal allusions, and shall extend our remarks to the practise as it exists throughout 
the State. We hear from all directions, of the appointment of ten, fifteen, and twenty days' 
meetings, and all whom we address must know the way in which they are usually conducted. 

Where in the Bible do we find a command to appropriate so large a portion of time to 
public religious services? Nowhere: the command to labor six days in seven is as impera- 
tive as that which requires us to rest upon the seventh ; and every page of the holy record 
teems with instructions for the employment of the residue of our time: we are there com- 
manded to be diligent in business, to labor each in his respective calling, that we may be- 
come useful members of society ; to apply ourselves to fulfil the duties which devolve upon 
us from the various relations in which we stand, as husbands, fathers, friends, and mem- 
bers of a vast family, every one of whom has a greater or less demand on our time and our 
exertions. , 

These common cvery-day duties of life, we hold to be sacred duties : there can be no true 
religion without the regular and quiet performance of them; they strengthen our best reso- 
lutions by calling them into constant practise, and to check the visionary and inconsistent 
views of religious duty, which we are too apt to adopt under the momentary impulse of ex- 
cited feeling, by convincing us of the absurdity and impropriety of carrying those views into 
our actions, and giving ourselves up to their guidance. 



JIISTORy OF SKANEATELES. 181 

\Vc would not undervalue public worship; but wc would not. on the other hand, attach 
an undue importance to it; we think that sufficient provision has been made for it in the Bible; 
and that the protracted meetings of the present day arc not only unauthorized by Scripture 
or by usage, but are grossly inconsistent with the requirements of that Gospel which we all 
profess to reverence and obey. 

But let us advert to the reasons assigned by the more liberal of the friends of this sys- 
tem, in its defense. They admit that a proper observance of the Sabbath, and the habitual 
use of the devotions of the closet and of the family are sufficient, if properly improved; but 
they suggest the lamentable truth that they are not so improved, and do not have the de- 
sired effect; men do and will neglect established forms and ordinary means, or in using them 
are left unimpressed and unaffected ; we must bring extraordinary influences to bear upon 
them, or they will sleep in the midst of privileges : but if men fail to keep one day in seven 
holy will they be disposed to keep successive days, nay, weeks? The answer is. Yes. they 
will, they do ; yet the reasoning of the very friends of the system show us why such crowds as- 
semble to witness the proceedings of these meetings: it is because they are new and uncommon, 
and hold out a temptation and apology for idleness, absence from home, and a species of 
dissipation. These means, we admit, are more likely for a time to make a lively impression 
on the mind, but until you can revolutionize the whole nature of man, the effect produced 
by them will cease with their use, or the means themselves, by 'being continued, will bccomd 
established, and ordinary ones, and as inefficient as those which they supplant. 

The remedy for this evil must be a resort to more exciting influences (if possible), 
till the established means and ordinances of the Gospel are looked upon as weak and inef- 
fectual, and all is enthusiasm and passion. 

But we are told to look at the result, and see how frequently the impression is made, the 
change wrought, and the work done. We have charity to believe, and we freely admit, that 
many are beneficially and savingly impressed at these meetings, and continue to give evi- 
dence in their life and conversation, of a firm and consistent Christian character. But we do 
not undervalue the importance of religion to the soul, when we express to you our candid 
belief that there is a great, a dreadful balance of evil resulting from the use of these extraor- 
dinary measures. We will not bring into the account time, money, labor — for these should 
never be weighed against the solid infinito good obtained in the creation of one truly religious 
character. But we would present to your view the moral injury which is inflicted on a 
greater number than are really benefited. 

How many of the apparently converted fall away, having been raised suddenly from 
great coldness or despair to the giddy height of enthusiasm, deserted by their weak sup- 
port, the vision gone, arc as suddenly let down, and their last state made worse than the 
first ! How many are held by self-conceit, shame, and dread of scorn, and how many are led 
to rest in these measures, and think the more they abound the more religion there is, and the 
better they are themselves ! How many mistake their excited feelings for the substance of 
religion, and are miserably, fatally deceived ! 

Retiring from the meetings and finding their ardor subsided in the absence of the causes 
which produced it, they mistake the depression of exhausted nature for lukewarmness and 
nnpiety, and sink by degrees into religious melancholy, insanity, and death. 

A frightful extent of moral evil and desolation is exhibited in the numbers of those who 
iiffcr under the.'e effects of religious excitement; and wc put il to the conscience of every 
■ andid inquirer after truth, who has lived in the neighborhood of a protracted meeting, 
vhcther these evils do not far outweigh the benefits which the most indulgent charity can 
ittributc to them. 

Wc would also present to your consideration, some of the abuses and extravagances which 
though not perhaps a necessary result of the system, yet arc found so generally prevalent 
that they may be justly said to characterize the manner in which these meetings are con- 



i82 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

The great, leading object of these meetings, as they are usually conducted, seems to be 
that of making proselytes to the profession rather than the practise of religion. 

When and where has one been called, to enforce upon professing Christians the duties 
which their profession imposes upon them, of letting their light so shine before men that 
others, seeing their good works, may glorify their Father who is in heaven? Is not the lead- 
ing, almost the only duty enjoined upon Christians, at such seasons, that of " coming up 
to the help of the Lord against the mighty," and of wrestling with God in prayer for the 
souls of others? Do we hear it enjoined upon them to work out their own salvation with 
fear and trembling? Do we hear the duty of cherishing charitable feelings for otliers en- 
forced? But is it not, on the contrary, declared to be a sacred duty to hate those who mani- 
fest a hatred toward God, by neglecting or refusing to participate in these proceedings? 

And what are the natural results of such doctrines? We see them but too plainly ex- 
hibited in every place where these meetings have been held-^destroying the usual intercourse 
of neighbors and friends, and checking those little civilities and kindnesses which do so 
much to sweeten and gladden life, beguiling it of its cares, and smoothing our rough passage 
to the grave. 

The evil does not stop here : it has grown into coldness and neglect, and has sown and 
is sowing tlie seeds of enmity and aversion in families and in neighborhoods, and is under- 
mining, with a ruthless hand, the peace and welfare of society. 

In the manner of conducting these meetings, we find arts and stratagems and dramatic 
representations made use of for the purpose of producing effect, which to us are truly shock- 
ing. 

While the audience were singing the Judgment Hymn, at one of these meetings, in a 
state of great excitement, the effect was aided and rendered truly terrible, by a sudden blast 
of a trumpet from a distant part of the house. 

Our Saviour is represented as standing in a particular part of the church, and as pass- 
ing from one pew to another, and subject to being touched and taken hold of. Individuals 
are called on by name to come forward and take their seats upon the anxious benches. 
We hear of appeals to every motive that ingenuity can suggest to induce persons to come out 
— of appeals to our love and respect for relatives and friends ; we are called upon as fathers, 
mothers, children, to come forward and join those to whom we stand in these relations; 
by our respect for the ministers of our religion ; for we have heard inducements like these 
held out: — " Will none of my dear flock come forward? What, not one? " " See that dear 
ambassador of God, how he sheds tears of anguish, to think that none of all this assembly 
will come forward here and give up their rebellious opposition to God." 

When tears and entreaties fail, our fears are awakened by representing what at other 
times would be called the misfortunes of those who oppose these measures, to be direct 
visitations of God upon their opposition to him — by slating that those who leave the house 
without giving up their hearts to God and being converted, will have sinned away their day 
of grace, and will never have another opportunity of repentance. 

These and many other methods are resorted to, of a similar character, w-hich we deem 
unholy and profane — which would not be tolerated if they were introduced in the ordinary 
service of the sanctuary upon the Sabbath, and which would shock the good sense and de- 
votional feelings of this whole community, if they were not introduced at these meetings in 
an artful and gradual manner. 

We have thus given you, as briefly as we thought consistent with the subject, some of 
our objections to these protracted meetings. We hope we have done so in a dispassionate 
and caridid manner. We have endeavored to point our observations rather against meas- 
ures than men, or classes of men. We do not impute bad motives, but mistaken views ; we 
believe that for one who is reclaimed by those measures, many are disgusted and driven away 
from all religion ; that indifference is confirmed, scoffers of religion supplied with new food 



HISTORY OF SKASEATELES. 183 

for their remarks, that skepticism is emboldened, and infidelity shows a more open front; 
and we believe that if public opinion upon this subject were embodied and made known, these 
measures would be given up as unprofitable and injurious to society and to true religion. 

E. Sa.ndforb, 
W. Hecox, 
D. Earll, 
G. A. Stansburv, 
John Sandford. 
A. Wilkinson, 
S. H. Green MAN, 
Ashley Clark, 
D. Hall. 

Committee. 

The full names of the above coniniittee are as follows: Edward Sandford; 
Colonel Warren Hecox ; Colonel Daniel Earll ; George A. Stansbury ; John Sand- 
ford, of Marcellus; Alfred Wilkinson; Samuel H. Greenman; Ashley Clark, of 
Elbridge, and brother of Foster Clark ; and Deacon David Hall. 

Daxiel Webster's Visit to Skaneateles. — The Hon. Horatio Ballard is 
writing up an "Early History of Cortland County," wherein he incidentally re- 
lates the following reminiscence of olden days in Skaneateles, which we tran- 
scribe from a copy of the Cortland Standard: 

" It was at the close of this decade that Lafayette made his tour through the 
^lates, and the time for the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of the monument 
11 Bunker Hill was approaching. Then rapid traveling from Boston to Lake 
ILrie was by stage. 

" It was a splendid morning in the month of May, 1825, when the citizens of 
■he beautiful village of Skaneateles heard the 'echoing horn ' of the stage-driver 
II the elevation just east of the central part of the village. It was not the stated 
ii'ur for the arrival of the regular line. Soon a coach and four drew up in front 
■ f ' Dascomb's Hotel.' On the veranda stood some of the boarders of the iim: 
Kev. Mr. Converse, the Episcopal clergyman; Lewis H. Sandford, then a student 
I law, afterward Vice-Chancellor; Ansel Bascom, then a lawyer, afterward a 
K'islator; Joseph Dascom, Jasper H. Colvin, and the writer of this article, 
'.lien a student at law in the office of Judge Jewett. The occupants of the coach 
were two ladies and one gentleman. The gentleman alighted, and, bowing 
to the group before him, gave expression to his delight at the splendid panorama 
of the lake, town, and adjacent landscape, as they burst upon the vision from the 
eastern elevation. His face beamed with intelligence, and his demeanor was 
graceful, familiar, and persuasive. He plied us with questions relative to the 
place, and especially about the venerable mansion and its beautiful grounds 
that were passed as they entered the village. During the interview, we discov- 
ered the noble form of Daniel Kellogg in the distance, walking along the pave- 
ment, with hat in hand and his silvery hairs exposed to the morning sun, and by 
his side a stalwart figure, and both moving with a stately, leisurelv treatl ; and. 



1 84 HISTORY Of SKANEATELES. 

as they approached, our entertainer says to us, ' Now, young men, I will soon in- 
troduce you to my fellow traveler, who, I believe, will become one of the greatest 
men this country ever produced.' The man to whom we were thus introduced 
was Daniel Webster, and he, in turn, introduced us to his fellow traveler — 
Joseph Story, one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. 
Then followed introductions to Mrs. Webster and Mrs. Story while seated in 
the coach. Mr. Webster alighted from the coach opposite the residence of Mr. 
Kellogg (the old Vredenburg mansion), and introduced himself to Mr. Kel- 
logg, and asked permission to look through his elegant grounds. 

" Mr. Webster and Judge Story, with their wives, were traveling, in relays 
of extra coaches, on a tour to Niagara. Webbing was interlaced beneath the ceil- 
ing of the coach, upon which were placed books, pamphlets, and newspapers for 
reading on the journey. In less than a month afterwards Webster delivered 
his immortal oration at the laying of the corner-stone of Bunker Hill Monument." 

General Lafayette's Visit to Skaneateles. — William E. Thorne, who is 
the son of Nicholas Thorne, deceased, who owned the James A. Root place, and 
who erected the dwelling-house thereon, in a recent letter to a friend here (the 
author) thus relates a little early history : 

"As we grow older how much interest we feel toward those we mingled 
with in childhood and youth, and the value we place upon relics of the past! 
Lately the upper part of one of mother's china candlesticks was chipped oflf, 
causing me to say painfully, ' Gracious ! ' That pair of candlesticks was used, and 
quantities of tallow candles, to illuminate our home in Skaneateles in 1824 in 
honor of General Lafayette, on the occasion of his return to New York City 
from a visit through the West. The West in those days was very limited in ex- 
tent. Coming from Auburn, and seeing from the brow of the hill our house 
illuminated with tallow candles in every window, the stage-coach was driven up 
to our gate. The General opened the coach-door and saluted us, waving his 
handkerchief as the coach drove to the village, which was wholly illuminated 
with glittering tallow candles. That was a grand occasion, and it made a last- 
ing impression upon my childhood days. I was then about seven years old, 
and it is very clear in my memory now." 

William E. Thorne died a few years ago in one of the Western States. 

The Great Fire which Occukued in this Vill.\ge in 1835. — We copy 
from an old Columbian the following particulars of this memorable fire : 

"As many erroneous statements have been published relative to the late 
destructive fire, we deem it proper to give a brief account of it, particularly 
in reference to the amount of property destroyed and individual losses sustained. 
We have therefore called upon each of the sufferers, and obtained their own 
statements and estimates, which are given below. 

" The fire occurred on the morning of the 28th of September, commencing 
in the large cabinet-shop of S. Parsons and extending rapidly in either direction 
cast and west, until no less than tliirlccn Iniildings, all occupied as stores, ma- 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. "85 

chine shops, etc., and reaching from the brick store of R. Talcott & Co. to the 
eastern extremity of the block, were in flames, and soon, with more or less of 
their contents, were a mass of ruins. With great difliculty and untiring exertion 
the further progress of the fire was stayed, and five buildings of the entire block 
preserved. Providentially there was only a light westerly breeze during the time. 
Had the wind blown from the south, as it is very common in this place, the greater 
part of the village must inevitably have been destroyed. As it was, the buildings 
on the opposite side of the street were blackened with the heat, and some of them 
several times took fire. 

" The total loss of property falls but little short of fifty thousand dollars. This 
for the size of the place is a heavy sum, although happily no inconsiderable por- 
tion of it was covered by insurance. 

"List of Sufferers, Losses, etc. — Building owned and occupied by Spencer 
Parsons as a cabinet-shop, loss on building, furniture, stock, tools, etc., $4,000. 
No insurance. This building was on the site of the present Field Block. Work- 
men emploj'ed by Spencer Parsons, loss in books, tools, etc., $250. 

" The town records, which were in S. Parsons' office, were entirely destroyed. 

"Buildings Destroyed East of Parsons' Sliof'. — Building occupied by Nathan- 
iel Miller as a saddler-shop, loss on stock, tools, etc., $900. No insurance. 

" Building occupied by W. M. Beauchamp as a book-store and bindery, loss in 
books, paper, tools, etc., $1,100. Besides property destroyed in his store belonging 
to other individuals to the amount of $400. No insurance. [Site of the present 
post-office.] 

" Building occupied by Beauchamp & Miller, owned by Philo Dibble, loss 
$1,200. No insurance. 

" Three large buildings owned and occupied by John Legg as a carriage and 
sleigh factor)', loss on buildings, carriages, stock, tools, etc., $10,000. Insurance, 
$1,000. Among the property destroyed belonging to Mr. Legg were several ele- 
gant carriages, finished, seventy-two carriage bodies, fifteen cutters, etc. [These 
buildings were on the site of Legg Hall.] 

■ Building owned by Mrs. Minerva P. Greves, loss $200. Occupied by 
M. A. Kinney as the Columbian printing-office, and Robert I Baker as a tailor- 
shop. 

" M. A. Kinney's loss in press, furniture, damage of tyiie, paper, etc., $425. 
No insurance. 

" Robert L Baker's loss, $50. [Site of the place east of HoUon's.] 

" West from Parsons' Cabinet-shop. — Store occupied by Ciiarles Pardee as 
drygoods store, loss $12,500. Insured $7,000. 

" Building occupied by Charles Pardee, owned by Porter & Pardee, loss $1,200. 
Insurance, $500. [Site of Hall & Shepard's.] 

" Buildings owned by Dr. Samuel Porter, occupied on the ground floor bv 
James G. Porter as a dry-goods store, and by Noadiah Kellogg as a saddler-shop, 
on the second floor by Dr. Kvelyn Porter as an office. Miss Delano as a milliner- 



i86 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

shop, and James M. Allen as an office, and on the third floor by William H. 
Greene as a schoolroom. Loss, $3,000. Insurance, $2,000. 

" James G. Porter, dry-goods store, loss $1,700. Insurance, $1,500. 

" Noadiah Kellogg, saddler, loss $200. No insurance. Workmen employed 
by N. Kellogg, loss in wearing apparel, etc., $50. Miss Delano, milliner, loss $40. 
Wm. H. Greene and scholars, loss in books, etc., $250. [Site of the present Wil- 
son & Lawrence store.] 

" Building owned and occupied by Phares Gould as a dry-goods store. Loss 
on goods and building, $2,000. Insurance, $1,350. [Site of Allis & Wicks' 
store.] 

" Building owned by William Dascomb, occupied by Gibbs & Burnett as a dry- 
goods store, by C. J. Burnett as post-office, and in the basement story by Dascomb 
& Dennison as a meat-shop, loss $2,000. Insurance, $1,000. Gibbs & Burnett's 
loss, $1,600. Dascomb & Dennison, meat-shop, loss $30. 

" We are happy to state that the whole of the letters, papers, etc., belonging to 
the post-office were saved. [Site of Hollon's drug store.] 

" The building owned by Daniel Watson, occupied by Alfred Hitchcock as a 
shoe-shop, by Charles L. Elliot as a paint-shop, and in the basement by G. Bayne 
as a private dwelling, loss $1,400. Insurance, $1,000. Alfred Hitchcock, shoe- 
shop, loss $200. No insurance. Charles L. Elliot, portrait painter, loss $240. G. 
Bayne, personal property, loss $25. [Site of N. Turner's store.] 

" R. Talcott & Co., dry-goods store, damage and loss on goods $800. Insur- 
ance, $450. [The present Foote & Van Orden store.] 

" N. Hawley & Co., dry-goods store, damage and loss of goods $250. Insur- 
ance, $95. [The present barber-shop and cigar-store.] 

" B. S. Wolcott, dry-goods store, damage and loss of goods $100. No insur- 
ance. [Site of J. Duckett's.]" 

The stores destroyed were all frame three-story buildings. 

We find in the same paper the following advertisement: 

" Notice. — Notice is hereby given that the Trustees of the village of Skan- 
eateles intend to apply to the Legislature at its next session, for the passage of 
an act, amending the act incorporating said village, to vest the Trustees with 
power to prevent the erection of wooden buildings in such parts of said village as 
they from time to time deem proper, and for other purposes. Dated November 9, 
1835. J. M. Allen, Clerk." 

It would seem that this act was not applied for, as there has been no amend- 
ment to the village charter to that effect. It would have been wise to have such 
a power in the village authorities, as then those frame buildings on the old Lake 
House lot would not have been erected. Frame buildings are dangerous in the 
business part of the village. 

We have copied this extended account of the fire of 1835, ^s there is at present 
no detailed statement in existence, except the old single copy of the Columbian, 
now in our possession. — Skancateles Democrat. 



HISTORY or SKANEATELES. 187 

Sir James \lkse Bukdette, A Remakkaule Skaneateles Character. — 
During the month of October, 1861, two well-dressed young men appeared as 
guests at the Lake House, then kept by D. C. Hadcock, on a Saturday. They 
immediately made diligent inquiry for a young man, a laborer, by the name of 
James Nurse, who they stated had inherited a baronetcy in England. The two 
young Englishmen who were in search of Nurse had the reputation, or had the 
name, of belonging to the nobility. They brought with them a certain legal docu- 
ment, on parchment, which authorized James Nurse to draw drafts on certain 
named parties in England for three thousand pounds sterling. 

Charles Pardee immediately took James Nurse under his special charge, ad- 
vanced Nurse money on his sterling drafts, and stated publicly that, in his opin- 
ion, there was not the least doubt that Nurse was a veritable baronet. The Cayu- 
ga County Bank, in Auburn, also cashed Nurse's drafts. James Nurse had an un- 
limited credit with all the Skaneateles merchants. The following is a copy of a 
check drawn on the Cayuga County Bank in favor of Messrs. Morgan & Daniels 
of this village : 

Auburn, N. Y., Dec. 4th, 1861. 
Cayuga County Bank. 
Pay to Messrs. Morgan & Daniels or Bearer, Seventy One 29-100 Dollars. 
\-i.29. 

James Nurse Burdette. 

It was very natural, as the old saying is, " Where the carrion is, the vultures 
will come," consequently all the money-jobbers became very attentive and polite, 
and even loving, to the newly fledged baronet, and they immediately sought his 
acquaintance and " drafts." They made just as liberal offers to cash his drafts, 
and advance him all the funds he wanted, even without his signature. His 
kindly nature induced him to accept all their offers, and at once he began to ex- 
pend the proffered money in extravagant purchases. He sent one of his friends, 
iif whom he had many, to New York with carte blanche, or, in other words, un- 
limited authority, to purchase an elegant carriage of the most fashionable style, 
which was accomplished satisfactorily to Sir James Nurse, and he immediately 
purchased the finest span of carriage-horses that was to be found in this section 
f the State. Sir James Nurse soon became the most prominent figure in Skan- 
■ ateles and surrounding country, riding in his superb equipage. 

James Nurse was first noticed in the Democrat, June 10, 1861, although he 
had lived hereabout for a number of years, earning a precarious livelihood by 
brewing domestic beer, in a hogshead kept for that purpose. September 2, 1861, 
before he had become a baronet, he was married, by Rev. Mr. Searles, at the 
residence of the bride's father, Thomas Corley, to Miss Mary Ann Corley, all of 
Skaneateles. 

It was not very many weeks before Mr. Pardee began to suspect that there 
was something suspiri>'>i< -.I...1H ilif tinr\- nf this young sprig of nobility, and he 



1 88 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

suggested to Sir James the idea of an introduction to his banker in New York, to 
which Sir James assented, and without further ceremony they both proceeded to 
New York. It so happened, luckily for Sir James, that the day after their arri- 
val a severe northeast rain-storm was prevailing at the time, and the tempera- 
ture very cold. Sir James trotted Pardee all over the city, and at every place they 
called Nurse's friends happened to be absent. Nurse kept his bosom friend on the 
move until he tired him completely out, when, having been unsuccessful in 
finding the coveted banker, they returned to Skaneateles. C. Pardee then began 
to consider the propriety of protecting himself against ultimate loss. He did not 
impart his suspicions to others. On the contrary, he led others to believe that his 
visit to New York to be introduced to Nurse's banker was a very satisfactory one. 
He must secure himself, no matter if others who had similar claims were likely 
to lose. One of the latter class was George Francis, who held a promissory note 
which Sir James had given to him, in payment for the settlement of a long-stand- 
ing account due Francis. 

George Francis boarded at the Lake House at that time, and he had constantly 
urged Nurse to settle his account, and finally Nurse gave him a note, drawn by 
MatfClapp, in liquidation of Nurse's indebtedness. It happened that George 
Francis was not entirely satisfied with this note, being suspicious of its genuine- 
ness, so he called to see Nurse at his room, for he also boarded at the Lake 
House. Nurse happened to be absent, but the door of his room was open. Fran- 
cis entered, and, noticing some writing materials on the desk, and evidently some 
of the same kind of paper that Matt Clapp's note had been written on, this rather 
confirmed his first suspicions that the note was a forgery. He then took, the 
note and compared the edge of it with the edge of the paper on the desk, and 
found it fitted exactly where it had been evidently torn off. Francis thereupon 
called upon Sir James' friend, Charles Pardee, and imparted his suspicions as to 
its being a forgery. Without the least hesitation. Nurse's friend took the note, 
placed it in the drawer of his desk, took out the amount of the note in money, and 
paid it to George Francis, to his astonishment. This note to Charles Pardee 
(although about twenty-eight dollars in amount) was w^orth hundreds of dollars 
to him. He, of course, made no explanation to Francis. He had the implement, 
then, to secure himself against all possible loss. It would not do to let this trans- 
action become public until he had fully secured himself in all particulars. Charles 
Pardee was well acquainted with Matt Clapp's signature, and knew what he was 
about when he got possession of the note. 

George Francis thought that Pardee ought to have had Sir James arrested, 
but Charles knew better than that, and the payment by him of the note led Fran- 
cis to think that the signature of Matt Clapp was all right. That is what Pardee 
also thought. Pardee immediately confronted Sir James, and, exhibiting the 
note pretended to be executed by Clapp, declared to Nurse that it was a forgery 
and a State Prison offense, and, further, that, if he did not want it made public, 
and would at once deliver over his carriage and horses, and, in fact, all his mov- 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 189 

al)le property, lie ^I'ardee) would not prosecute him or make any complaint. Sir 
Nurse, of course, was astonished and completely broken up, and he at once con- 
,-cnted to Pardee's demand, and as a matter of course Charles Pardee became the 
owner of all Nurse's property. The elegant carriage, then stored in John Pack- 
wood's shop, was at once secretly shipped to New York, to the party from 
whom it was purchased, and was sold at a large discount to the original owner. 

rhe horses were secretly placed in the hands of one of Pardee's reliable friends, 
who could be depended upon to dispose of them in Syracuse, where the transac- 
tion would not be known. The other victims of Sir James' duplicity hereabout, 
who had claims against him, were kept in igorance of this transaction until the 
property, especially the span of carriage-horses, had been sold, without being 
made public here, by Pardee's trusty agent. 

Sir James Nurse Burdette very soon left town, disappeared, and has never been 
seen or heard of since. Nurse's brother, William Nurse, whose occupation was a 
house painter, lived here before and during his brother's career, yet received no aid 
from him, has always been in needy circumstances, and was an inmate of the 
County Poor House. 

James Nurse, as before stated, was engaged here in making home-brewed ale 
before his remarkable career. He used only malt and hops, and without aloes or 
other drugs, and his production was in great demand by lovers of the pure arti- 
cle of real English ale. 

It was unlike that made by the large breweries throughout the United 
-lates, which use not only aloes, but cocculus indicus, and each has a jjcculiar 

haracter. Gum aloes is used in place of hops, is peculiarly bitter, much more 
- > than hops, and its bitterness is very lasting on the tongue and in the mouth of 
(lie usual beer-drinker. Cocculus indicus is a poisonous drug, is imported from 
the East Indies, and is probably used especially for the adulteration of beer and 
.Tie, as it is seldom, if ever, required for medicinal purposes. Being poisonous, 
it is used very sparingly by the brewers in the adulteration of beer and ale. Its 
peculiar character is to cause a " swimmy " feeling over the brain in the top of the 
head, producing a very pleasurable sensation and also a drowsy feeling to persons 
who drink ale and beer adulterated with this drug. The modem science in 
the manufacture of Ingcr-licer and other beers and ale is at present at its full 
height. 

It may be well to mention that there is no doubt that Sir James Nurse Burdette 
had plenty of money. This was indisputable, and, further, the source whence he 
obtained it. His mother died while he was an infant. She had property, and 
'ihe made a will bequeathing her savings to this boy when he had attained a 

crtain age, which occurred at the time he was notified by the two young men who 

.^me here in the year 1861. The original bequest was not as large as the amount 
-tated he was authorized to draw against, but, the original sum having in the 

H an time been invested on interest, it had assumed the proportions of three thou- 

and pounds sterling. 



HISTORY or SKAXEATRLES. 




HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 19' 

The Engraving of Skaneateles. 

(See pttfc igoand the folJiiiB illuslration between pages iqj and iqj.i 

This copperplate engraving was originally published in the Ariel, a magazine 
published in Philadelphia, in the year 1830. The following description of the 
village and of the manufactories on the outlet of Lake Skaneateles was written 
for publication in the Ariel by the late John J. Thomas, of Union Springs, Cayuga 
County, N. Y., who also made the original sketch of the village, which was after- 
ward engraved : 

" The view herewith presented represents the upper part of the village of 
Skaneateles, when seen from the main road passing round the west side of the 
lake. The most prominent building in view is the old Presbyterian church, 
built when the country was new, but unoccupied at present by reason of its dis- 
tance from the center of the village. The next that attracts the eye is the Epis- 
copal church, recently built and furnished with an organ, bell, and clock, standing 
on the water's edge, on the Main Street, and presenting an imposing appearance 
when seen from the south or west. The buildings immediately surrounding the 
church are a few neat private dwellings. Those two more conspicuous on the 
rising ground are the beautiful mansions of Dr. Samuel Porter and Daniel Kel- 
logg, Esq. The public buildings not seen on the engraving are a new Presby- 
terian church, built of brick, and standing nearly opposite the Episcopal church, 
and an Incorporated Academy, situated a short distance in the rear of the village, 
presenting a beautiful prospect of the lake and surrounding country. 

" The village itself stands on the northern extremity of the lake, partly on 
ground rising in the form of an amphitheater on the east and north, unsurpassed 
for beauty of scenery. 

" The lake is about sixteen miles in length, and from one to two in breadth, 
for the most part very deep, in some places from three to four hundred feet. It 
is fed by springs from the bottom, which renders the water cold and pure, and 
well furnished with trout, perch, etc. It is navigated by two large boats, which 
supply the village with lumber and wood. 

" For a considerable distance to the south of the village the lands on either 
side slope with a beautiful declivity to the water's edge, and present the view of 
well-cultivated farms and a number of elegant and delightfully siluatetl mansions. 
" There are in the village, besides the Academy (which consists of a male and 
a female department), one select grammar school, two select schools for young 
girls, and two large district schools. 

" There are three hotels, a Masonic hall, and a printing establishment. There 
are also seven stores, doing a fair and profitable business, and two extensive sleigh 
and carriage factories, that make about six htmdred sleighs and carriages in the 
course of the season. 

" On the Skaneateles Outlet, in and near the village, are five flouring-mills. 
which on an average will flour and pack seventy barrels per day. There are six 
sawmills, three linsced-nil mills, two iron foundries, one brass foundry, one ex- 



I9-' HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

tensive woolen factory (not completed), three clothiers' works, one cotton and 
woolen machinery factory, besides smaller establishments in every branch of 
mechanical operation usually found in the country. 

" The number of inhabitants in the village is upward of a thousand. 

" Skaneateles is sixty-six miles west of Utica, seven east of the flourishing vil- 
lage of Auburn, and eight miles distant from the Erie Canal, above which it is 
elevated about five hundred feet. 

" The Seneca Turnpike passes through it, and many lines of public stages in 
different directions. Travelers, especially foreigners, are usually charmed with 
this delightful spot, and speak in raptures of its interesting scenery. None who 
have a relish for the pleasant scenes of nature can approach it without admiration, 
or leave it without regret." — (Copied from the Ariel, July 24, 1830, vol. iv.. No. 7, 
page 55-) 

Note. — The original copperplate engraving, published in the Ariel, was 
seven inches long and four and a half inches wide. It is here enlarged to nine by 
thirteen inches, which will account for its coarseness. 

Discovery of the Plate and Description. — The history of the difficulties of 
obtaining the above plate and description is worthy of recital here (in the first per- 
son) : 

" In the endeavor to ascertain if there was in existence a sketch of the old 
Vredenburg dwelling-house, built in 1804-6, I was informed that Mrs. D. K. 
Leitch had one. I called on her, and found that she had the engraving herein- 
before described, which had been carefully framed for preservation by the late D. 
Kellogg Leitch. The engraving at once seemed to be a very valuable addition to 
my History, and Mrs. Leitch immediately gave me the use of it. 

" Thus far there was no letter-press description of the engraving. Therefore 
I determined to ascertain, if possible, whether any public library in Philadelphia 
had a copy of the Ariel in its possession. Having no correspondent in that 
city, I addressed a letter to the Ledger (newspaper). After describing my ob- 
ject in writing to that paper, asking for the name of some public institution that 
might possibly have a bound copy of the Ariel on its shelves, the Ledger gave 
the name of the Pennsylvania Historical Society. The result was that it had four 
volumes, but in no one of them was an engraving or description of Skaneateles. 
I then addressed a letter to the Librarian of the Girard College. The reply was 
that it had no Ariels. I then wrote to the Drexel Institute, with no better result. 
1 then wrote to the Franklin Library, with no better result, and lastly wrote to 
the Library Company of Philadelphia, which was founded 1721. Fortunately 
this library had the coveted files of the Ariel, and the Treasurer, George Maurice 
Abbot, obligingly favored me with a manuscript copy of the description of the vil- 
lage and manufacturing interests on the outlet of the lake, which it would have 
been impossible to obtain had it not been for the treasurer of this last library, to 
whom I found it very difficult to express my full obligations for the great favor 
he had conferred upon me." 



HISTORy OF SK.INEATELES. i93 

I '11 i>;iK<-' "A' ■•> an exact copy of tlic orijfinal copperplate wliicli was piih- 
lislied in the Ariel Magaaiiie, in Philadelphia, in the year 1830. This engraving 
lias been made for the purpose of preserving it as it was originally. The enlarged 
copy, inserted herewith as a folded illustration, may get destroyed by frequent 
use. It is impossible to obtain another original. 

Interesting Items. — Alanson Edwards kept tavern here in 1822. He was 
the father of the late Thaddeus Edwards, and the son Thaddeus kept the bar. 
This tavern was located on the southwest corner of East Genesee Street and 
the East Lake Road. 

Jessee Kellogg, father of Dorastus, was born in Hartford, Conn., in 1758. 
In the year 1800 he came here to tliis village, and purchased the grist and saw 
mills. In 1807 he removed to the Obadiah Thorne farm. He afterward pur- 
chased the Loomis farm on East Hill, near Marcellus, where lie resided until 
his death, in 181 1. 

George A. Stansbury was a Judge of Onondaga County in 1847. 

Ereeborn G. Jewett was Surrogate of Onondaga County in 1824; a Member 
of .Assembly in 1826; and a Member of the Twenty-third, the Twenty-fourth, 
and the Twenty-fifth Congress. 

.\ man by the name of Camp kept tavern here in 1816. 

The original William J. Vredenburg mansion, latterly the Daniel Kellogg 
house, was destroyed by fire, August 24, 1872. 

The Lake House was destroyed by fire, July 19, 1870. 

The Cardiff giant was first discovered, and published in the Skancateles 
Democrat, October 21, 1869. 

Nehemiah H. Earll was first Judge of Onondaga County in 1823 and 1828. 

Elisha Johnson was a surveyor in this town in 1806. He made a map of 
Military Lot No. 20 for Samuel Rhoades, and laid out on it the farms of the 
several early settlers. 

Columbus Weston, formerly sexton of the old burial-ground, died April 17, 
1867, aged sixty-seven years. 

Samuel Briggs. who was one of the earliest settlers in this town, died April 
19, 1867. 

Hall & Pynchon (David Hall) were merchants in the village in 1820 to 1825. 

Briggs & Hall were merchants here in 1817. 

Benjamin Gumaer first settled on the Obadiah Thorne farm. He was the 
father of Harvey riumaer. formerly of this vicinity. This name has usually 
been pronounced " (juminore." 

i'eter E. Gumaer came to this town in 1800. 

The region of Thorn Hill was first settled in 1799. David Earll, Eleazcr 
Burns, Nathan Turner, and John Willcts, came in sleighs from Washington 
County, N. Y. 

Elijah Parsons, father of Mose.s and John Parsons, came into this town, from 
Xortli.-tniptnn. Mass.. in l8f).;. lie die<l October 26, l8<>2. at'cd ciLdilv-lhrcr ve.irs 



HISTORY OP SKANEATELES. 



CHAPTER XI\'. 
Eakly Merchan ts. 



Briggs & Hall. — In Ihe year 1815, Isaac Briggs and Deacon David Hall 
formed a copartnership to get into the mercantile business. Isaac Briggs was 
the eldest son of John Briggs, who was one of the first settlers here, and he was 




an older brother of the late Noah Briggs, of Skaneateles. After the partnership 
of Briggs & Hall was formed, they began business at Ithaca, N. Y.. remaining 
there two years, when they removed their stock to Skaneateles. In 1818, David 
Hall bought out Briggs, and pursued the same lines alone until about 1825, when 
he took in his clerk, George A. Pynchon, as a partner, who was originally from 
Great Harrington, Mass. The firm then was Hall & Pynchon. A few years 



HISTORV OF SKANEATELES. 195 

later, 1828, Pynclion's health failed him, and he sold back his interest to David 
Hall, went to Florence, Ala., and later to Mobile, where he became a cotton 
factor. In 1840, he went to New Orleans, engaged extensively in business there 
; •; a cotton factor and importer of foreign salt, became very wealthy, and sub- 
quently identified himself with the Confederate cause, investing his wealth 
lii its bonds, which proved disastrous. He afterward died in comparative poverty 
at Paris, France. 

In 1828, Deacon David Hall sold out his store and business to Richard 

Tallcot. This is the first time that Mr. Tallcot was known to have entered into 

the mercantile business in Skaneateles. He continued in his own name in the 

<anie i)ursuit until about 1830-31, when he took in as partner H. W. Allen, the 

ither of Mrs. T. Y. Avery, and the firm name became R. Tallcot & Co. 

C. W. Allis was a clerk for Mr. Tallcot as early as 1831 or 1832. H. W. 
\llen remained with Mr. Tallcot but a year or two, and after that C. \\'. Allis 
as taken in as partner, the name of the firm still being R. Tallcot & Co.. and 
,i)0Ut 1840 or 1842 the firm name was changed to C. W. Allis & Co. This firm 
ntinued nearly ten years, and about 1850 George P. Morgan assumed Mr. 
I allcot's interest in the firm under the name of Allis & Morgan. This firm 
continued about three years, when the stock was divided. Allis took his share of 
the stock, went into another store, and joined it with the stock of Moses & 
Iluxtable, under the firm name of Allis, Moses & Huxtable. Huxtable died in 
a few years thereafter, and Moses went to Detroit, Mich., where he went into 
the wholesale crockery business. Then the firm name became Allis, Rhoadcs & 
Hall (C. W. AUisi William P. Rhoades, and John C. Hall). After a while 
Kiioades sold out to his partners and went to California, the firm name becoming 
Allis & Hall. This firm continued a few years, when Hall went to Massachu- 
setts. Allis took in his clerk, George H. Wicks, under the firm name of Allis 
& Wicks, which continued a few years, and then the business was closed up. 
'his was about from 1870 to 1876. After two or more years, which enabled 
Mr. Allis to wind up his old business, and on the organization of the Dank of 
kaneateks, lie was elected President of that bank, which office he filled in 
ltx acceptable manner until his death. ' '• 

C. W. Allis was a prominent member of the Society of Friends, and always 
■od high in all his business transactions, highly respecftcd by all classes of 
tizens, and occupied many responsible positions during his long and honorable 
iiusiness life. We present his nhntograph on the following page. 

Now going back to the other division of the stock of Allis & Morgan, we 
find that George P. Morgan received his half of the stock, took in as partner 
Spencer A. Daniels, making the new firm Morgan & Daniels, which firm existed 
several years, and was finally wound up. Daniels went to Syracuse, and Morgan 
left town, perhaps going to .Auburn. 

J. GuRRON Porter. — In 1830 and for a few years before and after that 
date, J. Gurdon Porter was in business in Skaneateles with Butler S. \^'olcott. 



[96 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



under the firm name of Wolcott & Porter, carrying on a general store. Porter 
left the firm al)out 1835, and went into partnership with James Hall, as carriage 
manufacturers, which had a supply store. The firm name was Hall, Porter & Co. 




Butler S. Wnlcutt cinuiniicd in Inisiness alcnc until 1X4(1 or 1847. when he moved 
to Gibson, Steuben County, .\'. V., being interested with Captain Xasii De Cost 
and others in a large sawmill there, which proved disastrous from the fact that 
there was a scarcity of large trees suitable for saw logs. Butler S. Wolcott 
died at Gibson, from heart failure, April 19, 1855. 



/USTORV OF SKANEATELES. 197 

J. tiiu«l..ii Porter piirtliascd the dwelling which stood on the Lapham place 
when De Zeng purchased the place. H. W. Allen first hought it of Dc Zcng 
for a span of high-spirited horses which Dc Zeng wanted, and H. \\'. Allen then 
M lid the house to J. Gurdon Porter, who had it carefully taken down, the materials 
removed, and reerected on what is now Leitch Avenue. It is now owned by 
i\. B. Wheeler for his residence. 

Butler S. Wolcoit. — Butler S. Wolcott was born in VVethersfield, Conn., 
March 22, 1799. He came to Skaneateles in 1824, and was at first a clerk for 
Deacon David Hall, in the Skaneateles Hotel (the original Lake House), which 
was built and first opened as a hotel by Hall. Wolcott afterward became clerk 
•'■r Phares Gould. Gould's store, a frame building, was on the north side of 
lain Street, where Miss Wheeler now resides. He remained with Mr. Gould 
■^\o or three years, and then went into partnership with Dr. Sanuiel Porter in 
mercantile business, in 1832, under the firm name of B. S. Wolcott & Co., which 
afterward dissolved, and a partnership was formed with J. Gurdon Porter under 
the same firm name. In 1837 he took in as partner Lorenzo Carter. This con- 
nection not proving genial, the partnership was again dissolved, after which 
Wolcott continued in business individually. The store he then occupied was 
next to Charles Pardee's, on the lake-shore, south side of Main Street. It was a 
frame building, situated near the center of the present row of brick stores. He 
held the office of Deputy Sheriflt after his connection with Dr. Samuel Porter. 
In 1848 he removed to Gibson, Steuben County, X. Y., and with others built a 
steam sawmill. He continued to reside there until his death, April ly, 1855. 
He went out gfunning in the morning of that day, and while in the woods was 
attacked with heart difficulty, and lay down on the ground, until a neighbor 
came along in a carriage. He was assisted into the vehicle, but before reaching 
home was so distressed that he could ride no farther, and thence was carried 
home on a iitter, about five o'clock in the afternoon, and died the same evening. 
.-It nine o'clock, aged fifty-six years. 

Spencer Parsons. — Spencer Parsons was a prominent man in his particular 
business line. He came to Skaneateles about the year 181 2. After two or three 
years he had established an extensive cabinet-making and furniture business for 
those early days. Everything was hand-made, therefore he had in bis employ 
quite a number of journeymen and apprentices. Up to that period manv ot 
the earlier settlers had advanced in i)rosperity sufficiently to afford to build 
and occupy a frame house, while the original log houses were being replaced 
by frame, some of which were quite pretentious. Such houses, of course, 
iHcded better furniture. This, with settlers constantly arriving, afforded Parsons 
' ' ar by year a constantly increasing business. In the early " thirties." or 
liortly Ijefore, perhaps about 1825, his firm was Parsons & Rust (Charles Rust, 
a brother-in-law of Parsons and Luther Clark). Mr. Rust continued with him 
for several years, and about 1829 or 1830 the firm dissolveil, and Mr. Rust 
went to Syracu.se, where he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business. 



198 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

After Rust left him, Parsons continued on alone, gradually increasing his 
business. About 1836, with the assistance of C. Pardee, his brother-in-law, and 
perhaps some others. Parsons secured from the State a contract for three or 
five years for the labor of from one hundred and fifty to two hundred prisoners 
in the Auburn State Prison, at a very low rate per day for each prisoner, which 
was said to have been thirty cents per day. Parsons immediately commenced 
the manufacture of furniture in the Auburn Prison on an extensive scale, under 
the firm name of Parsons & Hewson, afterward Parsons, Hewson & Co., com- 
posed of Spencer Parsons, Daniel Hewson, and Jessee Segoine, who were all 
prominent business men. Then Parsons moved to Auburn, and Mr. Pardee took 
his stock of finished furniture, adding that as a branch to his other business, and 
for many years until he quit business he continued to have a large stock on hand 
of prison-made furniture. Sometimes Parsons, Hewson & Co. had between two 
hundred and three hundred convicts at work. Of course, other business men 
had contracts with the State for the other prisoners, as there were about twelve 
hundred prisoners, and, as Parsons, Hewson & Co.'s contract was for from one 
hundred and fifty to two hundred, other contractors took the balance. The 
clothing manufacturers made contracts, so did the hardware men and the 
agricultural implement men, and, in fact, all the convicts were hired out, 
and all the various contractors made money very fast, until the competition 
to get contracts from the State caused the rate per convict to rise to sixty 
cents. 

Spencer Parsons left a considerable fortune at his death. He was twice 
married. His first wife was a Miss Rust ; the second was Harriett Kilbourne, a 
sister of Charles Pardee. He left but one child, a son by his first wife (Jessee 
Ives Parsons). He was elected Town Clerk in the year 1836 and held the office 
one year. 

Stephen Horton. — Stephen Horton was born in 1793. He came to Skane- 
ateles in 1813 (he was here May 22). He was a clerk for Phares Gould, and 
at another time clerk for Jonathan Booth. Afterward Booth took in as partner 
Samuel Ingham, under the firm name of Booth & Ingham. After a few years 
the firm name was changed to Booth & Horton. The Booth of this firm was 
supposed to be Zalmon Booth, tlic son of Jonathan Booth, and the Horton was 
Stephen. This firm continued but a year or two, and then the firm became Gibbs 
& Horton, which firm existed for several years. Then Mr. Gibbs left the firm, 
and Horton continued, and after a few years Horton took in Nelson Hawley as 
a partner under the firm name of S. Horton & Co., which lasted until the death 
of .Mr. Horton, in 1832, who died of cholera in the city of New York. The firm 
then was changed to N. Hawley & Co., the estate of S. Horton being the Co., and 
so continued until about 1847 or 1848, when the business came to an end. Nelson 
Hawley then left Skaneateles, went to Troy, and engaged there in the wholesale 
drug business with his brother and others. After a few years he removed to 
Wisconsin. 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 199 

Xelsox Hawlev. — Nelson Ilawlcy was born in Manchester, Vt., in the 
year 1801. At the age of eight years he accompanied his uncle to Onondaga. 
In later years he came to Skaneateles and formed a partnership with Stephen 
Iforton in the dry-goods business. In 1832 he accompanied Mr. Horton to New 
^'ork for the purpose of purchasing goods. While there Mr. Horton was taken 
ill with cholera and soon died. Mr. Hawlcy returned to Skaneateles, took charge 
of the concern, and looked after the needs and interest of the Horton family. In 
1S33 lie in.irricd ( (.nuli.i 1'rancis, daughter of Samuel Francis, Sr. .\fter the 




death of Mr. liortoii he continued in ll;i- same business and made money rapidly, 
but by some unfortunate adventure lost what he had made. He failed in business, 
but finally paid all his creditors one hun<lred cents on the dollar, although he had 
a tempting opportunity to cheat them out of their dues and make money by the 
operation. His creditors made him a liberal present as a reward for his honesty 
and uprightness. While a resident in Skaneateles, he built the dwelling now 
owned by Mrs. Dr. Earll. This house was originally a story-and-a-half house, 
and very roomy on the lower floor, affording plenty of space for not only all the 
living-rooms but for the skei)ing-apartinents also. .After a residence of thirtv 



200 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

years in Skaneateles he went to Troy, and engaged in business with Colonel 
Ralph Hawley in the wholesale drug business, under the firm name of Hawley 
& Co. In 1861 he dissolved partnership, left Troy, and purchased a farm in 
Kenosha, Wis., and at the time of his death, which occurred in the year 1874, he 
left his wife and six children in comfortable circumstances. He was one of the 
few men who was bound to treat his neighbors honestly, and every one who had 
business transactions with him found him upright in all his dealings. 

George P. Morgan.- — George P. Morgan was born in the village of Aurora, 
Cayuga County, May 29, 181 5, and was the fifth son of Major Christopher 
Morgan, who settled in that village in 1801, coming from Groton, Conn., and 
commenced a general merchandise business, which continued many years. 
George P. Morgan was educated in the Aurora Academy, and for years was 
engaged m business in Union Springs, and later he removed to Skaneateles, 
where he engaged in the sale of general merchandise, being associated with 
C. W. Allis, under the firm name of Allis & Morgan, and later with S. A. Daniels, 
under the name of Morgan & Daniels. He was successful in business, and re- 
tiied therefrom to locate in Auburn, where he remained until 1873. Then tie 
removed to New York, where he spent several years. In 1881 he removed to 
the place of his birth, Aurora, and spent the last ten years of his life in peace 
and quiet among the scenes of his boyhood. Early in the j'ear 1891 he went to 
the city of Auburn for medical treatment, and while there contracted a severe 
cold, which resulted in pneumonia, causing his death, March 19, 1891. He was 
a genial, cultured, warm-hearted man, of remarkable presence, and a nature 
which made him popular among his fellow citizens. Mr. Morgan was married 
in 1832 to Miss Maria Tallcot, daughter of Richard Tallcot, of Skaneateles. 
Mrs. Morgan died in Aurora, Cayuga County, November 17, 1896. 

Edward G. Ludlow. — Edward G. Ludlow was a former merchant in Skane- 
ateles, in the years 1812-14. He was born in New York, June 2, 1793, and died 
in Yonkers, N. Y., July 7, 1877. He came to Skaneateles with his father, Daniel 
Ludlow, in the year 1810, and in his early manhood was engaged in business as 
a general store as one of the firm of Ludlow & Hecox. When the parish of St. 
James' Church was organized in 1816, Edward G. Ludlow was elected vestryman. 
After that he remained here a few years, then returned to New York, as his 
father had died here in 1814, and his interest in Skaneateles had ceased. He 
afterward studied medicine, and was a prominent physician in the city of New 
York for forty-four years. He then removed with his family to Yonkers, N. Y., 
where he died at the advanced age of eighty-four years. 

John Meeker. — John Meeker conducted a store here in the village through 
the agency of Samuel Ingham. Meeker had been in the habit of establishing 
stores within this and adjoining counties for several years before 1805. In 
Manlius, for instance, he formed a partnership with Azariah Smith, on terms 
of equal division of profits. Meeker finding the capital, and as his part of the 
partnership business made the ]iurcliascs of goods at .Mliany. and attended 



HISTORY or SKASEATELES. - > 

to tlie disposal of the produce scnl to Albany to exchange for goods, banuicl 
Ingham was designated as Meeker's clerk ; at any rate, he conducted the business 
here. Meeker also owned a potashery here. Potash was the only real staple 
article of produce made here that always had a ready sale at Albany. Samuel 
Ingham resided in an unpainted story-and-a-half house that was located at that 
period where C. H. Poor's dwelling is now. Meeker's transportation of goods 
and produce was in large canvas-covered wagons drawn by four to six horses. 




J. BlkNKTT. 



The time consumed in a trip to .\liiany and return was about two weeks. Potash 
was the principal production in this section. 

Ch.vrles J. Blrxett, ]k. — Charles J. nurnctt. Jr., was k>rn in the old 
Burnett homestead, in the village of Skancateles, August 17, 1808. About the 
year 1826 he was a clerk or assistant to his father, wlio was postmaster. At that 
period an advertisement in the Skaneatcles Columbian stated that as agent he 
would receive subscrijitions for magazines, newspapers, etc., at the post-office. 



202 HISTORY OP SKANEATELES. 

In another issue of a later date he was in partnership with S. Porter Rhoades, in 
1S28, under the firm name of Rhoades & Burnett, conducting the business of a 
general store. This partnership continued several years, and after its dissolution 
C. J. Burnett. Jr., continued in the same line of business for many years. In the 
year 1845 he was occupying the store now owned by George P. Lawrence, and 
continued until William G. Slade purchased the store building, after which Mr. 
Burnett removed his stock of goods to the adjoining store east of the Slade 
store. He was elected Town Clerk in 1851, and held the office continuously for 
six years until 1857. In 1858 he was again elected to the same office. He was a 
most methodical man of business, conservative, careful, and of the strictest 
integrity and uprightness of life. Politically he was a Democrat of the old 
school. He died March 30, 1892, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. 

William G. Sladk. — William G. Slade was born in Westport, Mass., in 1807. 
In iiis early manhood he taught the Friends' School at Nine Partners, Cayuga 
County. After teaching this school he went to North Carolina, and while there 
he became the principal of a Quaker school, and remained there several years. 
After leaving there, he came to Skaneateles, in 1844, with Jacob and Eliza 
Griffin, whose daughter he had previously married. He went into business with 
Stephen A. Gifford, keeping a general store. The partnership continued several 
years, and after its dissolution Mr. Slade continued in the same business, until 
his retirement from active business, in 1855, considering at that time that he had 
accumulated sufficient means for his future support. He had invested largely 
in the stock of the Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana Railroad, and in the 
great business panic of that year this investment depreciated at a ruinous rate, 
so much so that its market value was only six dollars a share. Thus he lost a 
large part of his accumulated savings, which very materially reduced his yearly 
income. This induced him to commence the study of law in 1855, and after due 
course of time he was admitted to the bar, and acquired a considerable practise. 
He died October 5, 1868. 

William G. Slade was descended from William Slade, who was known to 
liavc settled in this country at Newport, R. I., August 23, 1659. In 1680 he 
removed to Somerset. Bristol County, Mass. His own father lost his life while 
on a vessel bound from Wales (he being a native of that country) to America. 
William Slade was the first white man to own and keep the ferry known as 
" Slade's Ferry," formerly run by the Indians. 

Edward Winslow, afterward Governor of Plymouth Colony, writes of his 
journey to visit Massachusetts, when ill, March. 1623: 

" The next day about one of the clock, we came to a ferry, where upon 
discharge of my piece, divers Indians came to us from a house not far olT, 
supposed to be Slade's Ferry, between Somerset and Fall River." 

"At a quarterly meeting of first of Fiftli month. 1639, to Thomas Slade is 
granted, one house lott, to be built upon in one yr, or be forfeited." 

" Slade " means a strip of ojicn land in a forest. 



inSTORV OF SK.IXEATELES. 203 

Charles Pardee. — Charles Panlce was born in Skaneateles. March 20, 1798, 
in a log house that stood near the road a short distance north of the Dyer Brainerd 
dwelling, afterward owned by W. J. Townsend. Once, while riding with Mr. 
Pardee past that locality, he pointed out as near as he could where the log house 
stood, and told me (T. Isom) all about it. Soon after his birth his father, 
Ebenezer Pardee, bought a farm, of which the Baber farm is now a part. The 
house stood about where the present Babcr house stands. That farm was some- 
thing over one hundred acres then. Charles J'ardee's father died of typhoid 
fever, December, 1S36. and left a large family of young children — eight sons and 




CHARLES I'ARUEE. 

one daughter. Charles was the lifth child bom. One of his elder brothers, 
John, worked the farm and cared for the mother and younger children. Charles 
and the cider brothers had to shift for themselves, as the saying is. He worked 
by the montli on a'nother farm for a while, and in summer made several trips to 
and about Geneva and Canandaigua, iielping buy and drive cattle. -About 1814 
or 181 5 an older brotiicr, Sheldon Pardee, had a store in Elbridge, and Charles 
Pardee then started out on liis commercial career as clerk for his orother. lie 
remained at Elbridge until 1818, a portion of the time in another store. (This 
is not a certain statement.) Siieldon Pardee afterward removed his business to 
Geddes, had a store there, and made salt. In 1832-33 he closed out his business 
and moved to Michigan. 



204 HISTORY OF SKAKEATELES. 

In 1818, Charles, then twenty years of age, and a young friend of his by the 
nan:e of Wightnian, left home for New Orleans. They went to western Penn- 
sylvania until they reached the Alleghany River, where they purchased a row- 
boat and started down the river. At night they would pull out their boat, turn 
it over, and sleep under it. Near the mouth of the Ohio River their boat got 
wTecked in some manner, so much so as to render it unsafe, and they had to 
leave it. They got on a Hat or tow boat and went to New Orleans in that manner. 
Seeking employment, they could find nothing to do. It was very hard times that 
followed the War of 1812, and business of every kind was paralyzed all over the 
country, and especially at New Orleans. Charles Pardee remained there about 
six weeks, and, his money beginning to run very low, he came to the conclusion 
to return home. Wightman thought he would go to that part of Mexico that 
is now known as Texas, and endeavor to find employment there, but before he 
could get away he was taken sick, the expense attending which used up all his 
money, and when he had recovered he had to go to work on the public streets. 
It took all his slim earnings to get enough to enable him to live and to get away 
with. But Charles Pardee only remained there about six weeks, when he went 
to New York by a sailing-vessel. On his arrival there he went to see John 
Stewart, of the firm of John Stewart & Co., an extensive jobbing dry-goods 
establishment. Pardee had previously seen and become somewhat acquainted 
with Mr. Stewart at Elbridge on several occasions w-hen Stewart had been going 
through the country visiting his customers, as was customary in those days with 
New York merchants. Pardee borrowed from ]\Ir. Stewart ten dollars to get 
home with, and after Mr. Pardee went into business he purchased a great many 
thousands of dollars' worth of goods of him, extending for a year or two after 
his (Pardee's) return. On his arrival from New Orleans he became clerk for 
E. B. Shearman & Co., at Utica, N. Y. About the latter part of 1819 or early 
in 1820 he became clerk for Gibbs & Horton in Skaneateles, and remained with 
that firm until nearly the time he went into business for himself. If it had not 
been for a rupture between him and Horton, he (Pardee) might not have gone 
into business at that time. The rupture occurred in this way: In those days 
merchants had to send teams to Albany, before the canal, to get their goods that 
came up from New York by water on the Hudson River. It was customary to load 
the teams down from Skaneateles with wheat, which they took of their customers 
there at about three shillings per bushel, and w^ould get about six shillings or 
upward for it at Albany. In the fall of 1822, when Mr. Horton went to New 
York, he told Mr. Pardee to send at such a time five or six teams to Albany for 
the goods he purchased. Pardee asked him if he should load the teams with 
wheat. In reply Horton told him no, as wheat was low at Albany and it would 
not pay. Pardee had saved some money from his salary, and had bought notes 
at a discount, so that he had on hand quite a little money, and he decided to load 
the teams with wheat on his own account, which he did. In the mean time the 
wheat market at Albanv had advanced, so that Pardee's wheat netted a nice 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 205 

littie profit. This transaction made Mr. Horton very angry when he got home 
and found it out, and the next winter, when Pardee's time that he had engaged 
with Gibbs & Horton expired, Horton would not renew the engagement. 

Soon after Pardee left them, Mr. James Porter, fatlier of James E. Porter, 
and Charles Pardee entered into copartnership to go into the mercantile business 
at Skaneateles, Mr. Porter putting into the firm fourteen hundred dollars, and 
Charles Pardee six hundred dollars, making the capital stock two thousand 
dollars, Mr. Pardee to manage and run the business, and profits to be equally 
divided. It proved to be very profitable for both partners. This partnership 
commenced business April i, 1823, and within two or three years afterward they 
were doing the largest amount of trade here. Mr. Porter, of course, knew all 
about Pardee. He had known him all his life, knew that he was competent and 
saving, and had the most implicit confidence in his ability. About 1825, Mr. 
Porter moved to Albany, and became a very prominent man there. He was 
interested in the Old Canal Bank of Albany, and through him Porter & Pardee 
could get all the money they wanted at that bank. By 1830 they were doing the 
largest business of any house in central New York, except Azariah Smith, of 
Manlius, and Jedediah Barber, of Homer. X. Y. These two concerns each did 
probably about as large a trade. The business for many years ran from $80,000 
to $100,000 per year in sales. The partnership was to exist ten years, but Pardee 
could not get Porter to come up to Skaneateles to settle, so that it ran on until 
during 1835. They then came to an agreement to leave the settlement of the 
business to Azariah Smith, of Manlius. and thus to determine the amount each 
partner ought to have. There was real estate also, Pardee's individual account, 
and other extras. Smith came up and helped to take the inventory, etc. The 
business showed up $80,000 or a little more, so that each had $40,000 assured. 
Mr. Pardee took the stock, collected and paid off the debts, settled with Mr. 
Porter, and continued the business under his own name for some years. In 
1837, Joel D. Stebbins came from New York as his bookkeeper, ami after a time 
became a partner, the firm name being C. Pardee & Co. On February i, 1847, 
they dissolved. Mr. Stebbins went back to New York and engaged in business 
for himself. Mr. Pardee continued in business alone after that until January i, 
1852, when Thomas Isom and Deacon David Hall for his son, Daniel W. Hall, 
bought Mr. Pardee out; that is, the stock was purchased, and the business was 
from that time conducted under the firm of Isom & Hall. >Ir. Pardee during 
his mercantile career stood high, his credit was of the best in New York, and he 
was an excellent financier and known as a good, prudent merchant. 

The firm of E. Pardee & Co., which commenced business in the month of 
July, 1825, was composed of Ebenezer Pardee (brother of Charles Pardee) and 
Richard Talcott. 

Mr. Pardee's father's family, including his mother, John Pardee, and the 
younger members, moved to Ohio in 1828 (date uncertain), and settled in VVads- 
worth. about three miles south of Cleveland. Charles Pardee had a brother 



2o6 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

younger than he named Eljenezer, who was the father of Mary Pardee, now Mrs. 
Lucien Moses. This Ebenezer Pardee, in 1829 or 1830. perhaps in 1828, was in 
business in Cleveland, Ohio, under the firm name of E. Pardee & Co., which had 
large dealing for several years with Porter & Pardee, of Skaneateles, buying 
goods of them, and shipping to them large quantities of various kinds of produce ; 
but in 1832 this Ebenezer Pardee was back in Skaneateles as bookkeeper for 
Porter & Pardee, with whom he remained two or three years, in the mean time 
got married, went back West to Wadsworth, Ohio, and entered into mercantile 
business there with his brothers Allen and John, under the firm name of A. J. 
& E. Pardee. 

Charles Pardee during his life was actively identified with nearly every 
interest in both the town and the village of Skaneateles. His career after he sold 
his stock and business to Messrs. Isom & Hall, January i, 1852, shows that he 
became a banker, and during the Civil War entered into manufacturing opera- 
tions for about eighteen months, after which he was interested in various mer- 
cantile pursuits from time to time. In 1865, according to the* best estimate of 
his nearest friends, he was worth over all his liabilities from three hundred to 
three hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and how he became such a financial 
wreck at the time of his death puzzled his most intimate friends. It has been 
estimated by those who knew him best that, if he had died at the age of seventy, 
he would have left a fortune and a good business character. In his early life he 
was married, in 1828, to Eliza Kilbourn, of New Hartford, Oneida County, N. Y. 
After his mercantile career and established reputation for so many years, he with 
others started during the month of March, 1863, the first bank that was ever 
organized in this town, which was incorporated as the Lake Bank. It had a 
paid-up capital of $100,000. It commenced business in the month of May, 1863, 
and was located in what was formerly known as the Hecox Block, a three-story 
brick building which Mr. Pardee had erected in the year 1850. Its first officers 
were : Anson Laphani, President ; Charles Pardee, Vice-President ; and Henry 
J. Hubbard, Cashier. On the first annual election subsequent to its organization 
Charles Pardee was elected President, Anson Lapham having declined reelection, 
and C. W. Allis was elected Vice-I'resident. 

On the 4th of March, 1864, the First National Bank of Skaneateles was 
organized with a capital of $50,000. Its directors were Charles Pardee, Henry 
J. Hubbard, Thomas Isom, Jr., Giles M. Lawrence, and Lucien Moses. The 
first officers were : Charles Pardee, President ; and Henry J. Hubbard, Cashier. 
No active commercial business was done by this bank until June 15, 1865, when 
the capital stock was increased to $150,000, when it absorbed all the business of 
the Lake Bank. In December, 1867, owing to the excessive assessment, and 
ta.xation, which seemed to its officers to be a discrimination against the bank, the 
stockholders voted to go into voluntary liquidation, and the business of the bank 
was afterward carried on with the same capital under the firm name of C. Pardee 
&Co. 



HISTORY OF SK.IXEATELES. 207 

In llic Cayuga Counlv Dank, in Auburn, wliicli was started in 1833, Charles 
I'ardce was mucli interested and became a director. He was reelected to the 
same position every year for over thirty years. In the business panic of 1837 he 
was sent to New \'c>rk to look alter the interests of the bank in protecting its 
circulating notes. He remained there about two months, and was eminently suc- 
cessful by his financial ability in promoting and establishing the solid character 
of the bank. 

Mr. Pardee was elected President of the village in the years 1851, 1852, 1853, 
1863, 1869, and 1872, six terms, during which time he was actively interested in 
promoting ilie best interests of the village. It was during his administration 
tliat Genesee Street, across the outlet of the lake, was widened, filled in, and the 
stone protecting walls on either side of the street solidly constructed. It was 
through his influence that the new bridge was built by the State. 

Charles Pardee was Uie son of Ebenezer Pardee, who with his brother, Charles 
Pardee, came into this town from Norfolk, Litchfield County, Conn., in the year 
1797, and settled on what has since been known as the Perry Foote farm. Here 
he lived until his death in 1S36, at the age of seventy-six years. 

riic melancholy death of the subject of this sketch, Charles Pardee, occurred 
April 9, 1878, at the age of eighty years. In relation tliereto we herewith present 
a copy of a letter written by a lady of Skaneateles to an intimate friend, then on a 
visit to the city of New York : 

■' I want to write you of Mr. Pardee's fearful end. It has shocked us all very 
much. He is tlie last man I should ever have dreamed of taking his own life — 
a man of such an iron will. He was out on Sunday. Yesterday morning (Sun- 
day) he did not feel very well; thought he would not get up; was dizzy and 
sick at the stomach. This (Tuesday) morning some better, but seemed lost; a 
little confused. Took beef-lea and gruel at noon, then soon complained of being 
drowsy. Wanted Mrs. Moses to go down-stairs so he could get asleep ; she 
thought she would go down-stairs and get some warm water to w ash him with : 
waited to heat it ; perhaps it took her some twenty minutes to attend to what she 
did ; and w hen she went back in the room, her father was not in bed ; was sitting 
on the floor, with his head on an ottoman, near the washstand, with his throat 
cut ; she took a towel and clapped it on his throat, and then called the girls ; then 
his eyes were closed. When she came back she knelt by his side, and tried to 
raise him ; then he opened his eyes and smiled at her ; and she said, ' O father, 
father! why did you do this? ' He replied, ' There is no use living any longer." 
And then he jiut his mouth to kiss her, raised himself up on his elbows, and put 
his head on her shoulder — gasped twice — and was gone! How awful to think 
of a man to live to be eighty years old, and then to take his own life ! Why, no 
one knew. The family say he has been very despondent lately, so low-spirited 
and depres.scd. I shudder t<> think how Mr. Pardee could have committed the 
awful deed. They think he attempted the act when they were at dinner. When 
Mrs. Moses went up-stairs, he had been taking oflF his .shirt, and was lying with 



2o8 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

nothing but his undershirt anil drawers on. She asked him how he came to get up. 
In reply he said he thougl.t l.r would dress, but was so dizzy he had to go back 
to bed. They think he took his shirt off so as to have his neck clear. He made 
three attempts — three deep gashes — the last one was very deep. What a shock- 
ing death ! He took one of his razors out of the washstand drawer. Dr. Benson 
sewed up the wounds." 

Aaron Brinkeriioff. — Aaron Brinkerhoff was born in Owasco, Cayuga 
County, N. Y., March 3, 1817. He came with his father at an early day to 
Thorne Hill. His education was largely acquired at the old Auburn Academy, 
after which he served a brief clerkship in Auburn, when he removed to Kelloggs- 
ville, Cayuga County, where he married Miss Lydia Fuller, daughter of Captain 
Luther Fuller. About 1840 he removed tc Skaneateles and engaged in the 
mercantile business. He was in partnership as one of the firm of Brinkerhoff 
& Willetts (the late William Willetts who went to California during the latv; 
forties), and afterward as of the firm of Brinkerhoff & Porter (J. Gurdon 
Porter). On the dissolution of this firm he continued individually keeping a 
general store. In 1848 he was elected Town Clerk, and reelected a second term. 
In the year 1850 he was elected Supervisor, and continued to hold that office until 
1854. In politics he was a Democrat of the old school. His close friends were 
Judge Freeborn G. Jewett, William H. Jewett, Charles J. Burnett, Jr., Judge D. 
T. Moseley, Harrison B. Dodge, Caleb W. Allis, Charles Pardee, Joel Thayer, 
Elias and Obadiah Thorne, and all the leading men of the day. In the year 
1854 he removed to the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., and was engaged for many years 
in the wholesale dry-goods business in New York. In 1883 he was elected 
Comptroller of the city of Brooklyn, and was afterward reelected a second term. 
He was a man of the strictest integrity and uprightness of life, and of exceptional 
business ability. He won and retained warm friendships, universal respect, and 
high esteem, and his life was in every phase exemplary. He died in Brooklyn, 
March 13, 1891. 

JoNATH.\N Booth. — Jonathan Booth commenced a very early and heavy busi- 
ness about 1812-14 under the firm name of Booth & Ingham. The latter was 
Samuel Ingham, who had been a clerk for John Meeker about 1802. The busi- 
ness was continued for many years, when the management was assumed by 
Booth & Horton, composed of Zalmon Booth, son of Jonathan, and Stephen 
Ilorton. Booth was later succeeded by William Gibbs under the name of Gibbs 
& Horton, which some years after was changed to S. Horton & Co., and eventu- 
ally became the firm of N. Hawley & Co. It was closed up in 1847-48, Mr. 
Hawley going lo Troy, N. Y., to engage in the wholesale drug business with his 
brother. 

Gkgrge Franci.s.— George Francis was born at Fairhaven, Vt., July 30, 1807. 
He came to Skaneateles with his father, in 1814, when he was seven years of age. 
In early adult life he worked in his father's hat factory, and thoroughly learned 
the trade in all its details, which fitted him for the business he afterward em- 



/y/-S7(>A')' Ul- SKAMiATIllJiS. 



209 



l)arkt'iJ in, selling at retail Jiats. caps, furs, buffalo and other robes, gloves, and 
such other goods as were usually kept in stock in other places. He was pos- 
sessed of a genial nature, kind and generous to a fault, always had a pleasant 
smile, and had a large following of personal friends. He had an irreproachable 
character. He was particularly polite to ladies, especially those who he thought 
needed assistance in alighting from any kind of carriage in the street or entering 
a carriage, fastening the horse or such other assistance as migiit be needed. 




lie exceeded in all these respects all the other merchants of the village. His 
death occurred very suddenly, April 20, 1874. He had been suffering from sore 
throat, and while sitting with his fann'ly he exclaimed suddenly, " I can not 
breathe," and died immediately, without further warning. 

Phares Golld. — I 'hares Gould was another early merchant and a prominent 
citizen in Skaneateles. Few persons of this town at the present day are familiar 
with his name. The following is the most correct history of him that has been 
obtained : 



2IO HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

His father, Jeremiah Gould, resided at Weston, Worcester County, Mass., 
where Phares Gould was born December 20, 1789. He came to this town about 
the year 1810. He was contemporary with the late Daniel Kellogg, who was 
born in 1780, and who came here in 1803. They both became genial and warm 
friends. Phares Gould married Miss Melissa Osborn, in Skaneateles, March 
14, 1813. 

The following is a copy, or rather abstract, of a deed from John Legg and 
wife to Stephen Horton, which indicates the residence of Phares Gould in the 
year 1816, recorded in Liber S of Deeds, page 44: 

September 16, 1816.— John Legg and Emma his wife to Stephen Horton, Jr. Considera- 
tion, $1,125.00. Beginning in the Seneca Turnpike road at the South West corner of a 
village lot, in possession of Phares Gould, on which the store and dwelling house of said 
Phares Gould stands, Running thence Easterly along said Turnpike to the East side of the 
store of the said John Legg standing on said lot, thence Northerly on a line parallel with 
the West line of the said John Legg's village lot, to the North line of the said John Legg's 
village lot, thence Westerly on the said North line to the village lot of Jonathan Booth, 
thence Southerly along the East line of the said Jonathan Booth's village lot to the East 
line of the said Phares Gould's village lot to the place of beginning, containing three-fourths 
of an acre of land, be the same more or less. 
In presence of 

Thos. P. Baldwin. 

This deed shows where Phares Gould had his store and his adjoining resi- 
dence on the north side of our Main Street. It also appears that John Legg 
had a store which was located on the site of the Horton dwelling-house, which 
store hy the above deed he conveyed to Stephen Horton. The location of Phares 
Gould's dwelling and store was on the present j\liss Wheeler's house and milli- 
nery-store lot. 

Long before Mr. Gould's arrival here a merchant named John Meeker, whose 
residence was in Cherry Valley, N. Y., had been an extensive trader previous to 
llie year 1807, and was considered both prudent and sagacious, and the greatest 
merchant in western New York, having stores in different sections of the State. 
These stores were established for the sale of general merchandise, such as dry- 
goods, groceries, hardware, drugs, medicines, etc. He had one at Manlius, of 
which Azariah Smith was the manager and chief clerk ; another store at Homer, 
N. Y., of which Jedediah Barber was manager and chief clerk; and another store 
at Skaneateles, of which Phares Gould became manager and chief clerk. The 
above named are described as examples of John Meeker's business. He made 
the purchases for all his stores principally at Albany, which at that period was 
the headquarters of the wholesale trade for all sections of the State west of 
Albany. There were some purchases of inferior value made by small dealers 
at Utica. Meeker also attended to the sale and transportation of the domestic 
produce sent forward from his various stores. Potash at that time was the prin- 
cipal commercial product, although other produce, such as wheat, oats, etc., was 
also forwarded, for all of which groceries, dry-goods, hardware, drugs, dye- 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 211 

stuffs, medicines, etc., were obtained in exchange. Potash was the leading ami 
most valuable product sent forward to Albany. The same wagons or other vehi- 
cles which had transported the produce were in turn loaded with the merchandise 
which had been obtained to be conveyed to his several branch stores. At about 
this period Pharcs Gould was elected as a trustee of the original Skaneateles 
Library Company, which had been organized in i8oCi, at which time Daniel 
Kellogg had been elected librarian. Phares Gould was reelected to this office 
for ten years, when in 1824 he was elected treasurer and librarian, holding that 
office for ten years, when he resigned. He was succeeded by James G. Porter, 
who resigned the following year and was succeeded by E. H. Porter. Phares 
Gould was at the next annual meeting elected a trustee, and continued as such 
until the company dissolved, after an active existence of thirty-five years. 

During the time Phares Gould was chief manager for Meeker's store, after 
the close of the last war with England, 1812-15, there was a great depression 
of general business throughout the United States, which resulted in the failure 
of John Meeker. Azariah Smith assumed the Manlius business, Jedediah Barber 
took charge of the Homer business, and Phares Gould conducted the Skaneateles 
business. Both .\zariah Smith and Jedediah Barber became verj' prosperous and 
leading merchants for many years; but Phares Gould had strong local competi- 
tors, while the other managers in Manlius and Plomer had none. Porter & Par- 
dee and S. Horton & Co. here in Skaneateles soon obtained control of the local 
trade. Consequently Phares Gould's business fell away and became unprofitable. 

Before this, about the year 1828 or 1830, Addison G. Jerome became Mr. 
Gould's clerk, and remained as such for several years, when Pharcs Gould re- 
moved to Caniillus, X. Y., in 1836. Jerome then went to New York, and pro- 
cured a situation with the large wholesale house of John Stewart, Jr., & Co., and 
after a few years became a partner of the same firm, which was doing a very 
heav)' trade at that period. Several years after he dissolved partnership and 
embarked in the stock brokerage business. Jerome had been a resident of the 
village for a number of years. His brother, Leonard H. Jerome, had also been a 
resident for a few years while studying law with Daniel Kellogg or John C. 
Beach here in the village. 

In the earlier life of Phares Gould in Skaneateles, after he sold his store and 
dwelling west of the Horton lot. he built the two-story and attic dwelling-house 
which was later occupied by Richard Talcott in 1837. and now owned by Charles 
H. Poor. When Phares Gould gave up his business in Skaneateles and removed 
to Camillus, N. Y., as before stated, in January, 1836. there being excellent water- 
power there, he sought a milling business, and, finding that a new grist-mill 
had been built by Philip Drake only two years previously and was for sale, he 
secured it for himself and his son. lulward O. Gould, who enlarged it and ran it 
until 1851, when they sold out to Wilson R. Cooper. Edwin R. Harmon, and 
' "melius W. Way. Phares Gould conducted the business under the firm name 
■t Pharcs Gould & Son. .After a few years, finding that the business was rather 



212 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

limited in extent, both father and son went to Buffalo, and associated themselves 
with Dean Richmond in a more extensive business connected with grain elevators. 
While thus engaged in that business, his only son, Edward Osborn Gould, died in 
Butfalo, July 31, 1858, while in the prime of life, at the age of forty-four years. 
This great affliction caused him to abandon his business and remove to New York, 
where he made his home with his only daughter, Julia, the wife of Addison G. 
Jerome. Phares Gould died there August 24, 1862. 

As this history of Phares Gould is fragmentary, a portion of his early history 
is as follows : Seventy-five years ago, March 20, 1825, he purchased from James 
Sackett the triangular piece of land which Jedediah Sanger (the original owner 
of Military Lot No. 36, on which this village is located) conveyed to John Briggs 
August 3, 1804. This triangular piece of land is now the Frederick Shear 
property. Phares Gould also purchased at the same time from Sackett twelve 
acres of land on the south side of the Seneca Turnpike Road, now West Genesee 
Street, located between West Lake Street and John Briggs' land; consideration, 
$3,000. The cemetery comprises a portion of that John Briggs' land. Gould 
also purchased a half-acre on the shore of Skaneateles Lake, bounded on the east 
by a certain board fence, which in 1808 embraced the dooryard of John Briggs, 
leading from the lake to the road, being the same land which John Briggs con- 
veyed, August 27, 1808, to John Meeker, now the Waller boat-house lot. The 
consideration for this last conveyance was $1,000. Phares Gould originally 
owned the lot on which the present Charles H. Poor residence is. Gould built 
that dwelling-house, and in the year 1837 he sold that property to the late Richard 
Talcott. 

Rev. Albert C. Patterson. — Rev. A. C. Patterson's rectorship of St. James' 
Church, in the village, began July 7, 1851, and continued until May. 14, 1859, 
when he resigned. He died at Jamaica Plain, Mass., in 1864. 

J.\roB W. V.^N Etten.— Jacob W. Van Etten was born at Minisink, Orange 
Co.. N. Y., in 1779, went to the town of Owasco in 1800, and in 1806 removed 
to the town of Skaneateles, one and a half miles north of Mandana. He died on 
his farm in 1850. 

David Seymour. — David Seymour and Bertha, his wife, settled on one 
hundred acres in Military Lot No. 37, on the west shore of the lake. He was 
in occupation of this land in 1804. During that year he sold fifty acres to 
Stephen Gardner. David Seymour was a shoemaker by trade, and from him 
Colonel Hecox learned his trade. He also had a brick-kiln on his land. 

Timothy Coleman and Elizabeth, his wife, owned a ])ortion of Lot No. 37, 
in 1795. 

Early Settlers. — All the following early settlers in this and adjoining towns 
originally emigrated from Peenpack Neighborhood, in the town of Minisink, 
Orange Co., N. Y. ; Cuddeback; Van Innewcgcn; Dc Witt; Cortright; Van 
Etten: Gumaer; Depuy ; Cuykendall ; \'an \'lict ; except Dicfcn(K)rl, who came 
from Schoharie Countv, N. Y. 



h/STURy or SK.IXEATELES. 



CHAPTER X\. 

Recollections, Business, anu Inventions. 

The CooPER-SHOr'S of Thaddeus Edwards. — For many years Tliaddeus 

Edwards had two cooper-shops on the north side of East Genesee Street. These 

-hops were originally built about 1825, on the north side of the old Skaneateles 

nd Hamilton Turnpike Road, and were demolished in 1876. The work of the 

irly coopers, besides making tubs, pails, and barrels, was the manufacture of 




KDWAKIi.'.- 



c(>oi'i;k .sii 



>liingles. These were made from while pine, which was abundant in certain sec- 
lions of tile county. The pine loj^s were sawed into short len<jths, and these 
were split into slabs of etpial thickness. These slabs were made into shingles 
by planing down one end of llie slab with a drawing-knife. The shavings obtained 
from these cuttings were sold in bunches to the early settlers for kindling fires in 
the fireplaces. Sawed shingles were not known or thought of. Thus, in making 
-hinglcs, potash and other barrels, tubs, pails, and various necessary household 

tcnsils, the coopers were decidedly useful mechanics. 
Recollections of the Late Thaddeus Edw akds. — " Xathanicl Eells first 
M ttled in this village in the year 1800. He purchased the property, latterly 

\\ ncd by the late Charles Pardee, opposite the old brick .schoolhouse on C)non- 
■i.iga Street. He built the Eells Tavern (since known as the Somerset House) 

list before I [Edwards] was seventeen years of age, about 1811-ij. I was 



2 14 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

about nineteen years old at the time the tavern was fully completed. Eells had 
a son, or brother, whose name was Horace. The Eellses, besides being farmers, 
were coopers, and at that early day were very useful in making the barrels for 
packing and shipping potash, which was the only real valuable export produce 
first manufactured in Skaneateles, to be transported by teams to Albany, and there 
exchanged for groceries, dry-goods, hardware, drugs and medicines, and other 
necessaries of the early settlers. 

" Noble Coe purchased the Eells Tavern soon after it was completed, and 
kept it for some time. He afterward formed a copartnership with a Mr. Alarsh, 
under the firm name of Coe & Marsh, who at the same time leased the Sherwood 
Tavern west of the bridge, and kept both these taverns for many years. 

" Sylvester Roberts was a blacksmith, and had his shop on the south side of 
the Seneca Turnpike, about midway between the Eells tavern and the law office 
of Daniel Kellogg. 

■■ The general mechanical business of the village was located on the hill, about 
where Roberts had his blacksmith-shop. This was a location where the stage- 
coaches passed daily with travelers going through the State. The stage-horn 
was always an accompaniment of the jolly drivers on the stages." 

Pounds, Shillings, and Pence. — We herewith present the following official 
definition of the Pounds, Shillings, and Pence used in the account-books of early 
merchants here. On April 17, 1899, I addressed a letter to the Superintendent 
of the United States Mint, at Philadelphia, making inquiry as to the currency 
in use in the early part of the nineteenth century, to which the following reply 
was received: 

The Mint oi^ the United States at Phil.\delphia. 
Superintendent's Office. 
Mr. Edmund Norman Leslie, Skaneateles, New York: 

Dear Sir: Replying to your letter of the 14th inst., I have to say that the 
money transactions in the old ledgers mentioned relate solely to Dollars, Shillings, 
and Pence. These were in the Spanish milled dollar and its divisions. These 
milled dollars and divisions were a legal currency of the United States. 

In the State of New York, the eighth of a dollar was known as a shilling ; the 
sixteenth, as a sixpence. Seventy-five cents was six shillings. 

In Pennsylvania and some other States, the eighth of a dollar was called an 
cloven-penny bit, or a levy, and the sixteenth a fippenny bit, or ftp. 

The Spanish milled dollar and its divisions were a legal tender by Act of 
Congress of February 9, 1793. 

Act of February 21, 1857, Section 3: "That all former acts authorizing the 
currency of foreign gold and silver coins, and declaring the same a legal tentler 
in payments for debts, are hereby repealed." 

In reply to your letter of 21st inst., I have to say that postage-stamps were 
never a legal currency. They were simply used for small change by common 
consent. 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 215 

Gold dollars were first issued in 1849, and continued to be issued until 1889. 
After their discontinuance none were ever returned to the Mint, but were 
retained by the holders. 

The two-dollar-and-a-half gold pieces are now issued. They are generally 
used during the holidays, at which time we coin from $50,000 to $75,000 worth. 
\'ours respectfully, He.nry K. Buyer, Superintendent. 

Recoi.lectioxs oi- C. J. BuRNErr. Jr. — The following reminiscences were 
written by the late Charles J. Burnett, Jr. : 

Amos Miner was the inventor of the spindle-head, or wheel-head, and the 
>pnming-wheel. This was between the years 1800 and 1803, when he lived on the 
farm afterward owned by George Clark. Miner also invented the grooved sash. 
Miner's patent pails were put together with grooves, and his patent bushel and 
half-bushel measures were constructed in the same manner. He had a machine 
at one time for cutting out from the log all sizes of wooden bowls. He afterward 
changed his manufactory to Five Mile Point, on the lake. The gulf back of this 
place was called ' Miner's Gulf." He then took his machinery to Mottville, and 
later removed to Elbridge. 

While at Mottville he was connected in business with Perly Putnam. One 
of his first efforts at invention was what was called in old times " The Pudding- 
Mill," at which time this was the only mill in this town for crushing corn for 
making " pudding " (" supawn " or " spawn "). This pudding-mill was located 
at a point about half-way between Skaneateles and Otisco lakes. Another of 
his inventions was known as Miner's pumps. It was said of him that, when he 
desired any new contrivance, he would wrap himself up in a blanket, then roll 
under his bed, and remain there until he had completed the invention in his mind. 
Miner lost the sight of one of his eyes while he was at his first workshop at 
.Miner's Gulf. He was engaged in hammering a piece of steel, when a small cliip 
of the metal struck his eye, which totally destroyed its sight. 

Miner's wife was an own aunt of the late Charles Pardee, and sister of Ebe- 
nezer Pardee, his father. Amos Miner had nine children — six sons and three 
<laughters — all of whom lived here and attended our schools. His descendants 
afterward removed to the State of Pennsylvania. 

P.OY Life on a F.\rm in Sk.\ne.\tei.es. — In the early life of Charles ( Par- 
sons) Clark, now President of the Syracuse Savings Bank, he was sent, at the 
age of twelve, to live with his maternal uncle, Chester Parsons, at Skaneateles. 
where he remained until he attained his majority, working on the farm in sum- 
mer, and attending the common schools in winter. For these nine years of toil 
and educational advantages he was to get his board and clothes, and when he 
became twenty-one was to receive one hundred dollars in money. He labored 
well and faithfully, studied persistently, and secured one year at the Skaneateles 
Acaflemy. When of age, he grasped the first opportunity that opened and hired 
out to a neighboring farmer during eight months for eighty dollars. The next 
winter he chopped sixty cords of wood, at three shillings a cord. At twenty- 



2i6 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

three years of age he went to Syracuse, and entered the employ of Philo N. Rust 
in the latter's tavern, his chief duty being the care of the garden. Here he 
remained three years, at ten dollars per month and board. 

The Patent Knocker. — During the year 1864 or 1865, L. S. Reynolds, the 
patentee of an appliance to enable millers to procure more flour from a given 
quantity of wheat than had theretofore been obtainable, arrived in the village, 
and immediately made known his invention to the late Joel Thayer at the stone 
mill. He proposed to apply his invention to the bolt in Thayer's mill, and would 
leave it in full operation for several weeks, a sufificient time to enable him to judge 
of its efficacy, and if it proved satisfactory Mr. Thayer should pay him his price 
if thought best, or, if not, he would take it out at his own expense. The result 
was that it did prove perfectly satisfactory, and he received from Mr. Thayer one 
hundred and forty dollars, and also a certificate of the utility of the knocker in 
adding to the quantity of flour by its use. Reynolds while in Skaneateles stayed 
at Rev. Mr. Preston's house. His wife and brother were with him here at the same 
time. His host became much interested in the invention, as well as other persons 
in the village, among whom were : Mr. Bartley, brother-in-law of Mr. Preston : 
Eben Bean, James R. Oilman, Hubbard Cleaveland, Thomas Isom, Justin How- 
ard, James A. Root, Forest G. Weeks, Edward T. Bartlett, and William P. 
Rhoades. The late Benjamin Petheram constructed the necessary appliances to 
the bolt in the mill. Reynolds, the patentee, realized from his invention about 
thirty thousand dollars, in promissory notes, in this town and immediate vicinity, 
but did not collect the whole amount. 

So far as can be learned, this invention consisted in a sliding weight in the 
bolt. The bolt is a cylindrical sieve that is revolved. In this cylinder are iron 
rods from the center to the sieve. On these rods were placed weights, which, as 
the sieve revolved, would slide down the rods and hammer the sieve, having the 
effect of knocking out the flour to better advantage than by depending on the 
weight of the ground wheat alone. The use of the patent bolt, however, did not 
continue in use a great length of time. 

An Exi'kdition to Austr.\ua in 1852 in Seakcii of Gold. — According to 
the files of the Columbian and the Democrat of the year 1852, the following- 
named residents of Skaneateles were to embark from the city of New York for 
Australia: Massilon W. Fay, James M. Smith, David Hall 2d, A. D. Bodinc, 
Eliphalet Hall, Harlow Schofield, and J. V. Tilton. It is now stated on good 
authority that Schofield did not go. He was a young man who worked in one of 
the carriage factories here, probably L. S. Worden & Co., and he concluded not to 
go with the expedition either before the party left the village or after it arrived in 
New York. Although the ship Eagle on which they were to embark had been 
advertised to sail about January i, the party were detained in llie city several 
months before the Eagle sailed. 

Of the individual members of this Australian party, Massilon W. Fay was the 
well-known landlord of the Lake House. J. V. Tilton was a miller and speculator 



HISTORY OF SKASEATIILES. 217 

in patent rights, and resided at the time in the dweUing-house now owned and 
ccupied by R. B. Wheeler. Tihon had only been a resident of Skaneateles but a 
\car or two. It is said that either his people or his wife's were from Marcellus. 
He never returned from Australia, so far as is known. Neitlier did David Hall, 
2d, ever return. Neither Tilton nor David Hall, 2d, was ever heard from or of, 
except once or twice after their arrival at Australia, although efforts were made 
! y relatives for several years thereafter to hear of or from them, but in vain. 
A. L. Bodine was unmarried, and was a very careful and saving man. He was a 
carriage mechanic (woodwork) for several years for John Legg, and afterward 
for L. S. \\'orden & Co., until he joined the Australian party. Eliphalet Hall was 
a son of the sister of Ralph Hall's wife, whose husband was named Hall. David 
Hall, 2d, was the eldest son of Captain James Hall, of Skaneateles, and before 
joining the Australian party had been a bookkeeper in the employ of C. W. Allis 
& Co. 

The Australian party left Skaneateles, December 25, 1852, Christmas Day. 
Massilon W. Fay seemingly had a friend (said to have been Richard Gale of 
^Skaneateles) who forwarded him sufficient money to pay his passage home from 
Australia, otherwise he probably would never have returned, he not having any 
money with him, and having used all his spare cash in the preparation for the 
ixpedition. 

" Our Australian Friends. — (Copied from the Skaneateles Democrat, October 
14, 1853.) — 'Letters were received in town lai^t week, bearing date Melbourne, 
June 21, 1853, from several of our Australian boys, the purport of which is that 
they had just arrived at that place, in just four months and four days from Staten 
Island, N. Y. They were to start on foot the next day for the mines, with their 
packs on their backs, which were distant about one hundred and twenty miles, 
riie prospect for gold gathering was excellent, and considered very favorable, 
riieir letters indicated that they were in good spirits. Several of the company 
had gained handsomely in corporeal dimensions since leaving home." 

The above news was probably the last that was heard of the party, as no 
tidings were afterward received. 

The Hecox Brick House. — A brick house stood on the shore of the lake, 
opposite the Packwood House, in 1872. In that year workmen were engaged 
Ml removing this brick dwelling, situated west of the bridge, fomierly built and 
> cupied by the late Colonel Warren Hecox in the early settlement oi the village, 
ind subsequently occupied by his son, Thomas W. Hecox, until he removed to 
Dubuque, about 1853. It has been stated that the first school kept in the village 
was located in the front room of this iirick building. Mr. Packwood, the proprie- 
tor of the Packwood House, demolished it to o])tain a better view of the lake and 
the scenery. 

In the house were found several copies of the Albany Register, of the dates 
1' May and .•\ugust, 1814, edited by Solomon Southwick. These papers were 
lingy and time-worn sheets, and tiie reading was partly gone. In one of .\ugust 



2i8 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

14, 1814, is an editorial on the burning of the Capitol at Washington and the 
sacking of the city, and the advance of the British army toward Baltimore. It 
also contains an official report of the Battle of Bladensburg. 

Smallpox in the Village. — In the year 1851 smallpox appeared in Skan- 
eateles, whereupon the Board of Health issued the following bulletin : 

" Board of Health, 

November 12, 1851. 

The Health Officer having certified to the Board, that smallpox is now at the 
houses of Massilon W. Fay, Alfred Lamb, and Stephen Potter, in said village, the 
following orders v.'ere unanimously adopted : 

First. That all intercourse with the houses specified by said Health Officer, or 
either of them, except for purposes of medical attendance, be prohibited to citizens 
and the public ; and that the proprietors of the public-houses be required, under 
penalty of the law, to refuse admittance to all strangers or other persons than 
their own households, during the continuance of said disease; and all nurses 
attending said cases of smallpox are prohibited from mingling with the people 
at large, and physicians attending are required to use every necessary precaution 
to prevent their conveying the contagion. 

Second. That the Health Officer be required to examine all cases of disease 
coming within his knowledge suspected to be smallpox, and when any such cases 
occur to report the same immediately to the Board. 

Third. That all other practising physicians be required to report forthwith 
to this Board any and all new cases of smallpox occurring in their practise. 

David Hall, 

RiSHWORTH MaSOX, 

John Legg, 
Charles Pardee, 
Richard Talcott, 
William G. Slade, 
Members of the Board of Health." 
An Offhand Sketch of the Village Fifty Years Ago by a Former 
Resident, enth<ely from Memory. — The following sketch of your village is 
made from memory after an absence of forty years. It is the only way I can see 
the place. .\\u\ many who were residing in the village at the time, about 1850, 
will rcn)cmber it as I do. 

The steamboat Homer was at that time making daily trips to Glen Haven, and 
Cai)tain Mason was as fond of his little steamer as any man could.be of any craft. 
The Lake House and Lamb's Hotel then were the principal ones, as they stood 
during the brightest days of the town's history. The old Kellogg mansion on the 
hill and the Roosevelt residence were then unchanged. St. James' Church, on 
the lake-shore, will remind some of your people of the struggle in early days 
for a church and school. The Legg carriage-shop at that period was in full 
blast, turning out the finest description of all kinds of carriages and sleighs for 



HISTORY OF SKANE.ITELES. 219 

the rising ami prospering Western cities, like St. Paul, Madison, and Dubuque. 
The factor)' at that time was known as " Oilman's shops." At that time horse- 
cars were carrying passengers to and from the village to the Junction, connecting 
with the steamboat for the South to the Glen Haven Water Cure, and also to 
Homer and Cortland. The old schoolhouse was at that time the only institute 
of learning in the village, except the old brick sciioolhouse on the hill. There 
was at that period quite a discussion as to which was the first child born in the 
town, whether it was Shepard or Pardee. I think it was Shepard, as the date of 
his father's location and marriage is given as in 1796, and the birth of the first 
child in 1798, while P'ardee has no record of the location of his parents or birth. 

In the village, fifty years ago, few, if any, of the business men of that time 
are with you now. Most of them have been gathered by the sure hand of Death 
into the village cemetery on the hill, and other business men are now in their 
place. In a walk up the Main Street now, you will not see among the present 
inhabitants any Judge Jewett, with his dignified carriage, nor a Captain De Cost, 
who had crossed the Atlantic Ocean ninety-nine times, limping and slowly trudg- 
ing along with the aid of his cane. Where will you find another such serene and 
pleasant old gentleman as old Nicholas J. Roosevelt, who made his home in your 
quiet village, after inventing the method of steam navigation, and who with Robert 
Fulton gave to this world the steamboat, September 6, 1798, and made it a com- 
mercial success? Then, whom would you enjoy meeting more than old Mr. C. 
J. Burnett, who always was so cordial and pleasant, and the true type of an old 
English gentleman? There were Richard Talcott, Walter Shotwell, Mr. Drake- 
ford, Mr. Newton, Ralph ?Iall, Captain Jim Hall, and Deacon Hall. Old Mr. 
Francis, who, they used to say, bit a nail in two to better preserve his teeth, and 
who was the father of George and Samuel Francis, used to operate a hat manu- 
factory, adjoining St. James' Church. Then, you will miss another old-time gen- 
tleman that lived on the west side of the Lake — Mr. Furman. It would not do to 
leave out Chester Moses, or Mr. Barrows, Ambrose Hccox, or old Colonel Hecox. 
Then, there were old George Ciapp, Dr. John Snook, Charles Pardee. Mr. Fay of 
the Lake House, with his brother-in-law Dan Welch, Alf Deuell, Little Jimmy 
1 yler and his big livery, Webb the meat-market man. Tommy Elson the black- 
Muith, and old Mr. Burdick, the soft-soap man, who had the easy teeter in his 
walk. Then, where is old .\rchcr. who was janitor of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church for so many years ? 

As you walk up the Main Street and look into the business places, you do not 
find Mr. E. D. Whcadon in his grocery opposite the Lake House. Hall & Miller 
have left their carriage works. John Day no longer measures men for fine suits 
of clothes. Dr. Hammond has left his drug-store. W. G. Ellery has quitted his 
book-store. H. L. Bean is not in the watch, clock, and jewelry trade. Then 
comes the Horton vacant store. Next. Morgan & Daniels are no longer behind 
the counter of the largest store in the village, who with their clerks were kept busy 
in the dry-goods, crockery, and grocery trade. Who misses the honest old Robert 



220 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Peacock that dealt out groceries for years? Then you miss Alfred Hitchcock 
with his stock of boots and shoes, and Moses & Huxtable with their nice little 
stock of dry-goods. Allis, on the upper side of the alley, was the village standby 
for a merchant.. Then came the portly merchant, William G. Slade, and Post- 
master Garlock, C. J. Burnett, Jr., Charles Pardee, Sereno Field. Then there 
was the Beauchamp store, and to end up at the east end of the block was John 
Snook's drug-store. In those days E. N. Leslie was a newcomer, and who can 
not remember him, with his sprightly step, smoking a cigar, and tlie little Toby 




Emma. Tempest. 

REGATTA ON THE LAKE 

On the (lock stand Philander Willia 
of the dock ! 



RTY YEARS AGO (BLUE BELL AND FLYING CLOUD. 
ion and Captain Eckhardt; on the corner 
i GoorKe Rawlins. 



dog that was always with him? Where are the twinny Hall boys, George and 
Jimmy, of fifty years ago? Perry Cornell was the turfman, and he encouraged 
horse-racing on the ice on the lake in winter time. Horace managed the omnibus 
line. Hannum operated the machine shop. The Earlls ran the distillery. Doras- 
tus Kellogg ran the woolen mills at Kcllogg's Factory. Mr. Dare was the miller 
at the grist-mill. John Legg was then on deck. 

In those days an annual regatta took place on the lake. Boats from Cayuga 
and Seneca lakes were hauled across the country by teams to compote for the 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 2?i 

valuable prizes offered by our citizens for the best-managed and fastest boat. The 
Island Queen and the Ashland were; lucky boats, while the Blue Bell was the 
village pride — Captain Jack Fumian, Captain William Marshall, and Captain Tom 
Shallish. Then Captain Dr. Lord, with his Sea Gull, who on one occasion was 
allowed to win a race by the consideration of the competing boats, which by a 
previous understanding were not to allow any other boats to win. The latter, in 
order to carry out the design, towed a pail of water, which in dragging through 
the water hindered their boats from too great a speed, thus giving Captain Dr. 
Lord an opportunity to boast of his victory. There were, also, the Jilt, owned 
by the Potters, and the Julia, owned by the Roosevelts. 

Where is Old Huxford, the tin-tinker, who never had a clean face, but was a 
very ingenious mechanic and was never puzzled in his work? Who can forget 
N'els Flink, the cross-eyed and double-jointed negro, and his trained yellow dogs, 
the dread of all the children? Benoni Lee, the lawyer, is among the missing. 
.And where is H. B. Dodge, who forty years ago would wrap his blanket shawl 
about him on winter nights, and meander among the business men for local items 
for the next Dcmocratf 

Few if any of the men whose names are mentioned here are with you now. But 
the names are familiar, and at one time these men were the life of the village. 
It is well kindly to remember them. 

(The above reminiscences were written by George H. EUsbury, who died a few 
years ago.) 

The Chi!-mlxk Story. — Sam Francis was a natural wit. This adventure, as 
related by him, probably occurred al)out 1820. The location of this story was in 
the brick schoolhouse on the hill in the village. He was the eldest son of the late 
Samuel Francis. He lost his life in the Civil War. 

We have our own sport here in this Western country that our Eastern friends 
are strangers to, and have it in our own wild manner, such as trapping the beaver 
and otter, killing prairie and timber wolves, black bears, deer, and game of every 
description. 

Among the other eccentric celebrities of this new country is our Wisconsin 
friend Sam Francis, whose cheerful laugh and happy story while away many an 
idle hour after the business of the day is over. W'e will venture to relate one of 
his schoolboy stories, but must confess that we are unable to give it that zest or 
action which can be seen, but can not be described. The present story is a 
matter of fact, having occurred in Skanealeles, Onondaga County, N. V., and is 
as follows: 

" Augustus Kellogg (or. as he was called among us boys. Gust Kellogg) was 
the son of Dan Kellogg, and, being older and very talented by nature, was the 
leader. Gust suggested that, while school was out at noon, he anrl his brother 
John. Add (Jerome) and Gird Porter. John and Charley Burnett, and I could go 
to their wood-pile, of about fifty cords, piled up near their house, and kill over 
four hundred chipmunks. I, being brought up in the fur business, was delighted 



2 22 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

at the opportunity ; but as we had a new schoohnaster, a Vermonter and very strict, 
who gave us fair warning at noon that, if we did not get our grammar lesson, we 
would all be licked, and as I never enjoyed a licking, I told Gust ; but he said that, 
as he sat at the head of the class, a verb would be all that I would have to learn. 
So, when school was out at noon, we set off for the chipmunks. We worked hard, 
and I climbed over the wood-pile, and up the trees, and tore my trousers, and we 
only caught three chipmunks, and there were four families of us. Gust declared 
that I should have one that had lost his tail, and as it was near time for school to be 
in we started, putting all the chipmunks in my hat, and covering them with leaves 
and handkerchiefs, and putting the hat on my head. On arriving at the school- 
house, Gust said it wouldn't do for us all to go in at once, and that he and John 
would go in first, and say that they had stayed at home to ride the horse to plow 
in the corn ; then Add and Gird Porter were to go in, and say they had to go to 
the farm to carry dinner to the men; and Charley and John Burnett to say that 
they had to stay at home and tend post-office while their father went to Auburn, 
about seven miles. Gust commenced telling me what to say, but, being out of 
sorts on account of getting the chipmunk with the tail off, and my trousers being 
torn, I told him I would make my own excuse. Gust said, ' Very well.' So I 
went in by myself, and endeavored to get to my seat unnoticed, but the master, 
being enraged that so many were out, called me up. My companions were afraid 
that I should make some mistake, but I remarked that, if I had got to stay home 
to pull sheepskins, I had better stay home and pull sheepskins, and not go to 
school. ' Just so,' says the master ; ' you had better stay at home and pull sheep- 
skins, and I will write to your father.' 

" I took my seat with John Kellogg, who yawned considerably when he spoke. 
He said he would rather I would have one of the chipmunks with the tail on than 
the Porter family. And in the mean time, it being so warm, we were afraid the 
squirrels would suffocate, so we put the hat under the writing-desk, took the 
handkerchiefs out, and then stuck a ruler down among the leaves, and loosened 
them up, that the squirrels might get some fresh air, when out they jumped and 
ran over the heads of the scholars, and, as the windows were up, they made their 
escape ; and the last one that went out was the one with the tail off, which Gust had 
set apart as my share. I thought if the master only understood the circumstances, 
he would favor me. 1 told him that that one with the tail oft' was the only one 
I was to have, and that Gust said we would get at least four hundred chipmunks. 
' Not another word out of your head,' said the master. ' Come up here. Gust Kel- 
logg.' ' And,' said 1, ' .A.dd and Gird Porter said we would get three hundred and 
fifty sure — ' ' Not another word out of your head,' says the master. ' Come up 
here. .'\dd and Gird Porter.' ' And,' says I, ' John and Charley Burnett said we 
could get three hundred chipmunks certain — ' Says the master, ' Not another 
word out of your head, sir.' And called up John and Charles, and placed us all 
in a row, and as I was the shortest, he put me at tlie foot, licked me first, and so 
on up to Gust, whipping him almost to death, and then we took our seats. The 



HISTORV OF SKAXEATELES. 



223 



master asking if \vc had got our grammar lesson I said promptly, ' Ves, sir." And 
he asked me, ' What is a pronoun ? ' I replied, ' A verb is a word that signifies to 
be. to do, or to suffer.' ' What is a pronoun, sir? ' Says I, ' You must begin at 
Gust Kellogg, and we can all say it through.' 

" And with that he called us all out, and licked us all over again. I couldn't 
understand why he licked us, but, on going home, Gust licked me, so that I under- 
stood all about it." 

Yoi'NT, Fi«H Pr.ACKD IX .'^k.\xf.atk:f.f:s I.akk. — On rcbruary 18, iSjr, 2.500 




TEN MILE POINT. I-ROM THE SOUTH. 



whitefish about one inch in length were placed in the lake, which were obtained 
from the State breeding farm at Caledonia. They were placed on the rocky 
bottom near the old lime-kiln, under the ice, which was eighteen inches in thickness 
near the shore. This was under the instructions from the fish farm at Caledonia. 

On October 16, 1858, fifty full-grown black bass, filled with spawn at the time, 
were personally placerl in the lake by E. X. Leslie. Owing to their having been 
transported a long distance, about ten of them did not live, but the remainder 
surA'ived, and these are the originators of all the black bass now in the lake. 

On December 10, 1874. 25,000 California salmon were deposited in the Shot- 
well Brook by James P. Wheadon and others. A collection was taken up around 



2 24 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

the village to defray the expenses of placing these fish in the lake, and twenty-six 
dollars was collected. The fish were obtained from the fish farm at Caledonia, 
and were one inch in length and in excellent condition when placed in the lake. 

On March 3, 1875, 36,ocx) salmon trout were placed in the lake, near Mile 
Point. Thirty dollars was collected around the village to pay the expenses of a 
person sent to Caledonia to procure the fish and bring them home. This required 
a great deal of care, as the water had to be changed several times on the route. 

On March 3, 1877, Dr. Merrell put into the waters of the lake, ofif the lime-kiln 
point, 50,000 salmon trout from Caledonia. A collection was taken up at the town 
meeting, and thirty dollars was raised. 

On March 14, 1883, Dr. Merrell placed in the lake at Mile Point 130,000 salmon 
trout, which had been ordered and forwarded from Caledonia. 

On March 28, 1895, 50,000 lake trout, from Lake Michigan originally, but 
latterly from Caledonia, were placed in the lake, and, owing to the very thick ice 
in the lake, they were very carefully placed in the Shotwell Brook. 

D.wiD BuRDiCK. — Forty years ago all the residents of the village knew " Old 
Burdick." He was for nearly forty years a resident of the village, earning a pre- 
carious living by making soft soap, in which occupation he prided himself. He 
also blacked stoves and assisted the housewives in various ways. In another 
manner he made himself useful. Whenever any villager was kept awake nights 
by a barking dog which had become a public nuisance, a small fee of twenty-five 
or fifty cents handed to Old Burdick would rid the neighborhood of the dog. 
Burdick would give the dog what he termed a " button." In fact, Burdick was a 
fixed institution of the village. He was a harmless, inoffensive old man, and had 
barely enough intellect to keep body and soul together. David Burdick had 
been a soldier of the War of 1812, and was present at the taking of Little York, 
Canada, and was only a short distance from the spot where General Pike was 
killed by an explosion. This affair so wrought upon his nerves that he deserted 
from the army. Old Burdick died at the Onondaga poorhouse, March 7, 1867. 

The Erie Canal — Its Effect on this Town. — The Erie Canal, which ha<l 
been opened in 1825, was now (1840-45) adding in a perceptible degree to the 
prosperity of every industry. But the completion of the Syracuse & Auburn Rail- 
road inaugurated a new epoch, and marked the beginning of another era of local 
enterprise. Unfortunately it passed just north of the north line of the town, about 
five miles north of Skaneateles Village, and in a measure, in later years, this thrifty 
center of population suffered from the withdrawal of trade. A project was, how- 
ever, inmiediately instituted to preserve the fame and business of the place, and 
on May 16, 1836, the first Skaneateles railroad company was incorporated, with 
a capital of $25,000, the act naming Freeborn G. Jewett, Daniel Earll, David Hall 
(Chairman), Richard Talcott, Charles Pardee, and Lewis H.Sandford (Secretary), 
Commissioners. In 1838 the construction of a wooden railroad was commenced 
between Skaneateles and the Junction, the nearest point on the Syracuse and 
Auburn route, and September 30, 1840, this line was opened for passengers, who 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 225 

were carried over it in a horse-car. Tlie first depot in the village stood opposite 
the Packwood House. This was subsequently abandoned, and a building erected 
on the site of the present Station-House. Storrs Barrow was the superintendent 
for many years. This crude railroad was closed August 24, 1850, and gave place 
to a plank road, which was succeeded by the present steam railroad, operated by 
the Skaneateles Railroad Company, which was organized in 1866, with Joel 
Thayer, President; Leonard H. Earll, Vice-President; McKendree J. Dickerson, 
Secretary; and Eben Bean, Treasurer. The road was completed and placed in 




ClIAkMCS (J.XI.KV. 

operation in 1867. It is about five miles long, and is probably the shortest railway 
line in the United States. Bonds were issued to the amount of $35,cxx) to aid in 
its construction. 

Chari.es O.xlkv. — Village people will recognize in this illustration little 
Charley Oxley, who often appeared in the streets with his cane over his shoulder, 
on which was fastened a bundle tied with a towel. He boarded with Robert Voke, 
whose residence was about four miles east of the village. Oxley always walked 
to and from the village, generally carrying a basket of eggs for sale to the village 
merchants. He was a kindly hearted old man nii<! hiulily nspectcd by all the 



2 26 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

village people. One of his friends contributes the following epigrammatic notice 
of his life: 

Sacred to the Memory 

OF 

Charles Oxley, 
Born in England, and died in Skaneateles, 
In the year 1888, aged 90 years. 
Beneath this mound a rare exemplar lies. 
Though poor, content ; with little learning, wise. 
Meekly, through length of years vouchsafed to few, 
He did the Masters work as best he knew, 
And, dying, left^to breed no envious strife — 
Only the memory of a blameless life. 

A moment pause, ye opulent, ye great. 
Think: is there nothing here to emulate? 

The Two Peculiar Characters in Skaneateles. — More than forty years 
ago, before i860, were to be seen in the streets of the village two remarkable 
characters — two men, brothers, one of whom always walked in advance of the 
other. This leader always carried in his hand a blue cotton umbrella, rain or 
shine. These two brothers wore swallow-tail coats, otherwise their apparel was 
not noticeable. On some occasions they appeared with a wheelbarrow, on which 
was a bag filled with some article of produce. The leader, with his umbrella, 
walked in front, drawing the wheelbarrow with a short rope, while his brother 
supported the handles of the barrow. 'J'he names of these two men were Thomas 
and William Powell. They lived, generally alone, about three-quarters of a mile 
south of Poverty Corners. At one time they lived with their mother. They 
owned a few acres of land, which they thoroughly cultivated in the most primitive 
manner. They never used a plow, but spaded the land entirely by hand. They 
usually planted about an acre of wheat, and also planted garden vegetables, such 
as corn, potatoes, beets, beans, etc. When they had occasion to get their grain 
ground at the mill, they would fasten the bag in the middle of a pole, and carried 
it in that manner, one leading the other at each end of the pole, the leader always 
h;iving his blue umbrella. The brothers were both bachelors. Finally a widow 
c;uight Thomas, and he married her. This proved to Thomas a very unhappy 
condition of life. The few acres they cultivated near Poverty Corners was the 
admiration of all the neighbors and all who had occasion to pass the premises. 
]''very inch of the surface of the ground had been carefully spaded, raked over, 
smoothed, and planted very regularly, not a single weed was allowed to peep 
above the surface, and there was no neater plat of grotmd in the whole State of 
New York. 

Peter Pell. — Peter Pell was in his day one of the interesting characters in the 
village of Skaneateles. Whenever there was a procession of a public character 
through the streets, he was always the base drummer. His drum was his great 
solace and pride; and the drumsticks, which were always ornamented with riblwns 



JUSTORy Ul' SKAAEATELES. 227 

■ I various colors, lie twirled above his head, indicative of his enjoyment, and 
during his public performances he thus exhibited his personal pleasure at all 
times. In that manner he dignified his calling. He lived, solitary and alone, 
in a small building on the west side of Leitch Avenue. During his residence in 
the village, he made a precarious living by making and repairing shoes. He had 
accumulated and saved a few hundred dollars, and before his death he made a 
will and bequeathed two hundred dollars to St. James' Church for the benetit of 
its Sunday-school. Peter Pell died at Elbridge in 1874. 

Prices in 1825. — The following bill shows the retail prices for goods in Skan- 
eateles in 1825 : 

One bed cord 38 ^4 lb. siiuli 09 

10 lb. brown sugar i .46 .} oz. indigo 00 

; J lb. Y. H. tea 66 1 oz. ess. hemlock & vial 13 

I pair snuffers 19 i cravat stiffcner 25 

1 Quart whisky 09 i gallon whisky 38 

2 side combs 13 0)4 yds. calico at 3/- 2.44 

jj cloak clasps 50 i set knives and forks 1 .99 

4 yds. domestic red tlannel 2.60 1 piece paper hangings 50 

I box 7x9 window glass 2.50 i blue platter 65 

I snuff box 38 I pair morocco shoes i .03 

5 gals, sp'ts turpentine 5.44 Pair shovel and tongs i .35 

Bought from Sa.muel Francis. 
8 men's wool hats at 9/- 
4 boys' wool hats at 5/O 

Gio\Nr Bka-mble and his Wonderful Inventions. — A St. Paul paper pub- 
lishes the following statement of an important invention in engines: 

" A small rotary engine of novel design has been invented by Grant Bramble, 
of Sleepy- Eye, Minn., for the patent of which H. F. Allen, of London, president 
of an engineering syndicate, has offered him $1,600,000. 

" The engine does away entirely with the crank motion, a most desirable thing, 
but hitherto regarded as impossible to do. The engine uses its own plunger for 
a cut-olT. The engine is steam tight and requires no ring-packing. It can be 
made marine type, and, of course, can be either simple or compound." 

Grant Bramble, who appears to possess an inventive head of genius, was at 
one time a resident of this village, being employed as a telegraph operator when 
the Western Union office in this village was under the management of Henry W. 
Hollon. He received six dollars a week, and boarded with Mrs. Beatty on Rail- 
road Street. He was somewhat eccentric in his dress and manners, and the boys 
for this reason often tried to joke him, but he always took their bandying good 
naturedly and was faithful to his duties. While living here he invented a door- 
lock, which was certainly an ingenious piece of mechanism, to say the least, and 
he often said he had other ideas which he intended to perfect when he could 
afford it. 

Several years after he had left Skaneatelcs he returned for a short visit, a 
wealthy man. He had secured a patent on an incandescent light, and it was 



228 HISTORY OP SKANEATELES. 

reported that he sold his rights in the invention for $70,000. His sudden rise to 
aflluence had not changed him a particle. He was the same every-day-sort-of-a- 
fellow that he was when employed here as a telegraph operator at six dollars a 
week. The only difference, in fact, noticed in him was that he smoked good cigars. 

The account from St. Paul may be somewhat exaggerated, but those in town 
who remember Grant Bramble will put considerable faith in the report. Mr. 
Bramble must be about thirty-two years of age. 

Village Property Rather Low in 1820. — Deed from Charles J. Burnett, 
Sr., and wife, to Freeborn G. Jewett, April 12, 1820: 

" Beginning in the center of the highway leading north from the village 
of Skaneateles to Gen. Robert Earll's at the northwest corner of lands owned by 
Winston Day, thence by chains and courses, not necessary to repeat here, to the 
place of beginning, containing three acres of land. Consideration, $250." 

The highway described as leading to Gen. Robert Earll's then commenced 
on the north side of the Seneca Turnpike road, about where Jordan Street now 
commences. The east side thereof then took the direction of the present 
Methodist church directly to the large elm-tree, now near the corner of Academy 
and Jordan streets. At that time the old highway ran to Gen. Robert Earll's, 
then known as the " Red House." 

Sherwood's House. — In the year 1830, Isaac Sherwood offered for sale his 
house, .store, and outhouses, and about one and a half acres of land, situated a 
few rods west of the bridge. The house was formerly occupied as a tavern, and 
the store as a printing-office. 

The Indian Queen Hotel. — The Indian Queen Hotel was kept by Isaac 
W. Perry previously to 1837. Henry W. Allen was the landlord of the hotel 
in 1837. Perry succeeded Allen, and was landlord in 1838-39. He was fol- 
lowed by Smith & Harvey in 1840. The name " Indian Queen '" was afterward 
changed to the " Lake House." 

Before Photographs were Known. — In 1852, Jonathan C. Keeney adver- 
tised his " Skylight Daguerrian Gallery " in the Skaneateles Democrat. His 
gallery was located over II. L. Bean's jewelry store, on the first floor. " He 
flattered himself that he can please all who favor him with a call." 

The Propeller Ben Porter. — The following items were published in the 
Democrat in the month of July, 1866: 

" The Propeller. — The boiler and engine of the new propeller are duly placed 
on board the Ben Porter, and the carpenters are rapidly driving her upper 
works toward completion. We hope at no distant day to announce her readiness 
to navigate the waters of our Ijeautiful lake." 

"Steamboat Dock. — Through the liberality of our citizens, a large and sub- 
stantial steamboat dock is about to be erected on the lake lot of Mr. Benjamin 
Petheram, in the rear of James H. Smith's clothing store. It will be one hundred 
and twenty feet long and twenty feet wide. This will provide a fine landing-place 
for the propeller Ben Porter, as well as the pleasure-boats on the lake." 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



CHAPTER XVI. 
Educational Sources and Early Schools. 

The First School. — The first school in this town was established in a log 
house built for the purpose, by General Robert Earll and some of his immediate 
neighbors, on the west side of tlie outlet, near what is now known as Willow Glen 
factory. Miss Edey Whitman was the first teacher. The late Nehemiah II. Earll 
and Daniel Watson were scholars, with others in that vicinity. 

The ne.xt school was in a log house situated about where Colonel Dan. Earll 
now resides. The teacher was Dr. Hunger. He had a son named Jesse who 
practised medicine. He was the first physician, and visited all around this sec- 
tion of country. This was before Dr. Samuel Porter came into the county. After 
Dr. Porter came, Dr. Munger moved to a place called Wellington, between 
where Elbridge and Camillus are now, and afterward died there. Mr. Kneeland, 
who had been a clock pedler, was employed by W. J. Vredenburg to educate his 
children in 1805. This school was kept in a small new one-story house which was 
on the ground where John Kellogg now resides. 

In 1819, Mr. Whitney taught the district school near the Pardee residence, 
vmong the scholars at the time were John Kellogg, Samuel George, and Lyle 
1- rancis. The first stove for burning wood was set up in the middle of the school. 
There were also two large fireplaces on opposite sides for burning four-foot wood. 

Miss S. Watson was a school-teacher in this village in 1828. 

The first school on Military Lot No. 73, at Mandana, was in a log hmise 
which was on the site of the present tavern. Daniel G. Burroughs was the first 
school-teacher, and young Samuel Welch was one of the pupils. Afterward Miss 
Hall and Miss Gleason taught in this schoolhouse. 

Religious services were also held in this log schoolhouse by traveling mis- 
sionaries. 

Schools. — In 1819 there was a select school kept in the brick store wliich 
was on the north side of the main street near where Dr. Campbell's office is now. 
Laura Edwards was the teacher. She afterward kept a school in the basement of 
the Ingham house, which stood where Charles H. Poor \w\\ resides. 

Tiiere was a school kept in Ralpli Hall's house in 1814-15. The teacher was 
Miss Bcecher. 

About the year 1818 a school was kept in the Weston house, on what is now 
known as Somerset Street. This was conducted by Mrs. Stephens. Her luis- 
hand taught the district school at the same time. 

Mr. Thomas Allis came to Skancateles in 1818. He soon after commenced 
teaching at the district school, which was on the site of the house now occupied 



23° 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



by Stephen Potter. In the year 1820 he opened a select school in the house now 
owned and occupied by Lemuel Hall. In 1822 he kept a school in a building 
which was on the site of the house now owned and occupied by Jesse Simmons, 
about half a mile east of the village, on the old Seneca Turnpike. Benjamin 
Lee's son, now the Episcopal Bishop of Delaware, was one of the scholars ; also 
Dorastus Kellogg and Augustus Kellogg, both of whom came over from j\Iar- 
cellus daily. Some of our prominent ladies received their early instruction from 
Mr. Allis. Mr. Allis afterward kept school in his own house, which is now 
known as the Huxtable place, about opposite Mr. Humphryes' residence. William 
H. Jewett, Edward Gould, and other boys were scholars. This was about 1823-32. 

In 1826 a school was in the Maltby house, now owned by J. Hoagland. This 
was kept by Rev. Mr. Brower, who, being incapacitated from preaching by cer- 
tain weakness, taught school for a living. 

In 1827 there was a school in the third story of one of the frame stores which 
were situated about where Hollon's drug-store now is. The building was at that 
time occupied by B. S. Wolcott. The teacher's name is unknown. 

In 1832 Rev. Mr. Lyman had a school in Ambrose Hecox's house. Captain 
De Cost's children attended here, and also scholars from Marcellus and Elbridge. 
Mr. Lyman was a very talented man and a most excellent teacher. 

Miss Evilina Greeves taught a school, about 1825, in the house where Mrs. 
Dr. Campbell now resides. 

The First School under St. James' Church.- — Miss Abigail R. Higley 
taught the first school under St. James' Church after it was built. This was in 
July, 1828. 

It may be interesting to publish a list of scholars who attended Miss Graham's 
school under St. James' Church seventy-two years ago. This memorandum is in 
Miss Graham's handwriting: 

" Susan B. Graham commenced teaching school at Skancateles, Monday 
morning. May nth, 1829. A list of the scholars' names: 

Mary .'\nn Rriggs Ann Maria Perry Louisa Huff 

Emily Francis George W. Perry Mary Jane Ilorton 

Elizabeth Smith Mary Ann Creed .Vancy Hall 

Sophia Hall Elisha Hopkins Julia Rust 

Caroline Hopkins Mary S. Hal! (or Hale.) Richard Tallcott 

Barton Hopkins Esther Brooks Harriet Hopkins 

Julia Eliza Lewis Sarah Ann Allen Julia Smith 

Harriett Gibbs Nancy Lewis Catharine Coon 

Amanda Gibbs Ann Bingham George Tallcott 

Alexander Horton Eliza Burnett Augustus Dibble 

Frederic Horton Frances Hecox Cordelia Jackson 
Joseph Tallcott." 

Thk Fn«T ScHooLnou-sic Erectkd in thk Village. — There was a school- 
house built about the year 1800, on about the site where the Roosevelt barn now 
stands. Nicholas Otis was the first teacher here in the village. Thaddeus Ed- 



HISTOKV OF SKAXE.lTELliS. 231 

wards (who makes this statement) went to that school, which was the first school 
he ever attended. The Bowen Road then ran along the south line of Military Lot 
No. 36 to this schoolhouse, and turned at right angles to the top of the hill, at 
about where Roosevelt's large gate or driveway now is. This schoolhouse was a 
frame one, and the outside was planked. After the course of the road was 
changed it was moved to where Thaddeus Edwards' old house now stands. 

The second schoolhouse was built on the present site of the brick one, near 
C. Pardee's. It was frame, built about the year 1804. It was destroyed by fire 
about four or five years afterward. Mr. Cary and Joshua Lane were teachers 
there. The present old brick schoolhouse was erected in the year 1812. 

State Street in the Village First Opened. — The lands over which it was 
opened belonged to the late Charles J. Burnett, Sr. It was laid out and mapped 
and given to and accepted by the town authorities as a public highway a short 
time before the month of April, 1828. 

A Subscription by Leading Citizens. — On April 24, 1828, the following 
business men agreed to pay Phares Gould, Samuel Porter, and John S. Furman 
the sums designated, " to enable them to purchase a lot ( n the new street " (State 
Street), laid out by Charles J. Burnett in Skaneateles, and to erect thereon "a 
building with a view to keep a select school thereon:" 

Stephen Horton, $50; Samuel Francis, $25; S. B. Hopkins, $25; Nehemiah 
Smith, $25 ; Daniel Watson, $25 ; .-\. Douglass, $25 ; S. Porter Rhoades, $25 ; 
B. S. Wolcott, $25; Spencer Parsons, $75; William Gibbs, $50; Samuel 
Rhoades. $25; J. M. Allen, $15; William Clift, $25; John S. Furman, $50; 
David Hall. $100; Phares Gould, $100; F. G. Jewett. $100; John Legg. $50; 
Nicholas Thorne, $50; Samuel Porter, $100; Philo Dibble, $100: Daniel Kel- 
logg, $200; Hezekiah Earll, $50; C. J. Burnett, $100; S. and J. Hall, $100; 
Lewis Cotton, $100; Charles Pardee, $25. 

Several of the above named added from $10 to $50 to their subscriptions, 
providing the building was constructed of brick, which was done. This led to 
the incorporation of the Skaneateles Academy, on April 14, 1829. In Sep- 
tember. 1831. classical and scientific departments, a good library, chemical and 
philoso|)hical apparatus, collection of plants and minerals, etc.. are advertised. 

The officers were Daniel Kellogg, President; John S. Furman,- Secretary; 
Phares Goultl, Spencer Parsons, Samuel Porter, D.D., Stephen Horton, Charles 
J. Burnett, Philo Dibble, and Freeborn G. Jewett, Trustees. Among the early 
principals were Robert Bradshaw. S. Rhoades, and Allen Fisk. Charles O. 
Roundy was a teacher in the academy for two years from 1849. The building 
was sold to the Union School District on June 3. 1854. In 1869 it was torn 
down, and a new schoolhouse was built. 

The Skaneateles High School. — By vote of the inhabitants of District 
Xo. ID the Skaneateles Free School was established in i8ri6. The Academic 
Department was organized and placed under the Regents in 1868, in which year 
the first Regents' examinations were held on July 13 and 14. 



232 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

The main building, occupying the site of the old academy on the corner of 
Academy and Syracuse streets, was erected in 1855, and has been twice enlarged 
by additions: that on the north, in 1871 ; on the south, in 1882. The district 
also maintains a primary department on Onondaga Street for pupils residing in 
that part of the village. Both buildings are of brick, substantial and in good 
repair, and well equipped for school purposes. The estimated value of the 
buildings is $12,000. The library contains about 1,700 volumes. 

In 1897 the name of the Academic Department was changed by the Regents 
to that of High School, and since that date the school is officially known as "The 
Skaneateles High School." 

In 1899 it was appointed by the Department of Public Instruction to instruct 
a training class for teachers. It now has eight departments with eleven 
teachers. The high school department, with a four years' course, prepares for 
college, business, or teaching. The last catalogue shows a registration during 
the school years 1898-99 of 377 students, of whom 53 were non-residents. The 
graduates, now numbering 210, have always taken excellent rank in higher in- 
stitutions of learning, and many of them are occupying positions of trust in busi- 
ness and professional life. They have for several years maintained a flourish- 
ing alumni association, which holds an annual meeting, with banquet, literary ex- 
ercises, etc. The school has always been fortunate in securing and retaining for 
long periods teachers of recognized ability. 

The principals since the organization of the Free School have been as fol- 
lows: M. H. Slee, 1865-69; Rev. W. C. Bowen, 1869-74; F. D. Hodgson, 
1874-75; A. M. Wright, 1875-82; F. C. Whitney, 1882-84; H. F. Miner, 
1884—. 

Select Schools. — St. James' Institute was started in 1852, under the aus- 
pices of Rev. A. C. Patterson, Rector of St. James' Church, with E. N. Leslie, 
H. L. Roosevelt, Dorastus Kellogg, S. M. Drake, and John Snook, Jr., as man- 
agers, and William G. Lloyd, M.A., and Miss Mary Jane Drake as principals. 
This continued successfully for several years. 

Between 1825 and 1850 several select schools were maintained in Skaneateles, 
notably by Thomas W. Allis, from 1818 to about 1832; Rev. Mr. Brower and 
Mr. Lyman ; Miss Pratt, who opened a " Young Ladies' Seminary" in her 
father's residence in 1839; Miss Ann Eliza Tlnmphrcy. about T843; and Mrs. 
E. M. Haven, who opened the " Skaneateles Female Seminary," a private enter- 
prise, about 1850. 

Lyiha p. Mott. — We herewith present the history of a prominent promoter 
of female education, together with a compilation of some of the principal 
events of her life in this town. 

Lydia P. Mott was the daughter of Joseph Stansbury, of Philadelphia. She 
was born February 23, 1775. She was married to R. Mott, of New York, in 
1797, while in her twenty-second year. She was at that time a beautiful and 
accomplished young lady. From the most authentic sources attainable, she 



HISTORY Ut- ::,K.I.\i:,lTELES. -\?;, 

came to Skancateles about 1818, from Bridgewater, near New Hartford, Oneida 
County, N. Y., and in a short time commenced and established the "Friends' 
Female Boarding-School, " which was known as the " Hive." 

It was located originally on the Willis F. Cuddeback farm, and on the same 
spot of ground where his dwelling-house now stands. The building was a low 
one-and-a-half-story old-fashioned style of a house, which is well recollected by 
those of her young scholars who have survived the limitations of time. Mrs. 
Mott purchased what is now known as the Dowling farm, and resided in the 




old building now used as a tenant house, with her son Arthur. Aiilmi w.i^ .a 
that period about twenty years of age, and was known as an unusually bright 
young man by his associates. In after years, as a prominent business man, he 
was well and favorably esteemed by his acquaintances for his probity and in- 
tegrity in all his business transactions, and also for his great kindness of heart. 
Mottville received its name from him, where at one time he was engaged in 
the manufacture of woolen goods. His factory was on the site of the old Cole- 
man flouring mill. After this, misfortune overlook him, and he became dis- 
"uraged and disheartened. In consequence of his pecuniary losses he soon 
Iter became dissipated, and was ever afterward a slave to that habit. He fre- 



234 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

quently appealed to his friends, exclaiming: "I want you to have pity upon me, 
for I am obliged to rise from my bed every morning at four o'clock and go to 
Benny Hudson's to get a drink of whisky. I am a perfect slave, and could not 
withstand the power that is constantly over me, under the threat of instant 
death." He died in Toledo, Ohio, of apoplexy, October 30, 1869, at the age of 
seventy-one years. 

A few years after the establishment of the Hive, Mrs. Mott sold out the 
school to Caleb Mekeel, as he had full charge of it in 1823, associated with Abby 
and Sarah Underbill as teachers. The school never was exclusively patronized 
by the Society of Friends, as many prominent people of other denominations of 
both town and village sent their young girls to be educated at the Hive at that 
time. During the year 1826 the school was advertised as being under the 
charge of Caleb Mekeel, assisted by Mary A. Watson as piano teacher, and was 
then styled " The Skaneateles Female Seminary," and situated on the bank of 
the lake, nearly opposite Isaac Sherwood's, in the building formerly occupied by 
James Sackett (the present residence of Frederick W. Shear). Caleb Alekeel 
was not very successful with the school, and afterward sold out to George Pryor, 
but there is no source of information as to how much longer the school was 
kept up after Pryor took charge of it. The Hive was the earliest institution 
for the education of young ladies in western New York. Caleb Mekeel died at 
Ledyard, Cayuga County, December 26, 1859. 

Mrs. Mott had a nephew who resided in this village in the year 1832, named 
George A. Stansbury. He was studying law at that time with the late F. G. 
Jewett. A public meeting was held, and Stansbury was one of a committee 
appointed at the meeting to draft resolutions expressive of the views of the 
meeting under the following resolution: 

"Resolved, That the proceedings of some religious denominations in this 
community require of the friends of Peace and Good Order in Society an ex- 
pression of their opinion upon the propriety of holding what are called ' pro- 
tracted meetings ' and upon the measures adopted in conducting them." Other 
resolutions were adopted in conformity with this purpose, and published in an 
extra Columbian. 

George A. Stansbury afterward went to Baldvvinsville, where he died. 

One of Mrs. Mott's early friends relates that she was a sweet, lovable 
woman, who took a kindly interest in everybody, but more particularly in young 
people. She always had some one imder her care to help get them started in 
business. At one time she made a party for the boys in her neighborhood, and 
invited them to assist in clearing away the old tree stumps in the cove at Mile 
Point, which was a favorite playground for the children at that time. Another 
friend of Mrs. Mott writes that " the little cottage where she lived, nearly oppo- 
site the Friends' meeting-house, was then a lovely place, with its porches cov- 
ered with fragrant honeysuckles, and two sides of the house surrounded by a 
flower garden. Mrs. Mott was a prominent speaker in the meeting-house close 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. ^35 

by. In those days the residents in that neighborhood were nearly all Friends, 
and, as they did not approve of sending their little girls to the district school, 
they preferred to educate them in the Hive. Mrs. Mott, even after she gave up 
control of the school, retained her interest in behalf of the children. She would 
have the scholars learn pieces of poetry to recite, and on one afternoon in each 
week the little girls were taught to make samplers, needle-books, pincushions, 
etc., and would endeavor in every manner to make the children interested in their 
school." 

Another of Mrs. Mott's scholars who received a portion of her education 
eighty years ago in the Hive, thus describes her experience there: "In 1820 
my mother died, and shortly after it was thought best to send my sister Jane 
and myself to boarding-school, and we were accordingly transported to the 
seminary kept by Uncle Caleb Mekeel. This was a celebrated and popular 
school, conducted by Lydia P. Mott, who was a prominent member of the So- 
ciety of Friends, and we remained there two years. My trunk, the first one I 
ever possessed, was made by a mechanic, who combined not only blacksmithing, 
but carriage and trunk making besides. My trunk had a real lock and key, and 
it was papered inside and out. It contained two dresses, which were thought 
at that time an abundant supply for any schoolgirl. We had also a stock of 
colored cotton pocket-handkerchiefs, and a few linen ones made from our own 
flax and spun at home. The school was an excellent one, and it was conducted 
by Mrs. Mott as principal, assisted by Caleb Mekeel and Miss Sarah Underhill, 
I have my certificate signed by each of them, dated 1823. There were at that 
time forty scholars, and we slept in one large room, which was immediately 
over the schoolroom, which was heated in winter time by the stove-pipe of the 
large wood-stove below. In our sleeping-room there were twenty beds, and 
there was but one washstand and one looking-glass. We made our own beds, 
as was the universal custom in country boarding-schools. Our sleeping-apart- 
ment was generally uncomfortably cold mornings, as the fire in the wood-stove 
usually went out very soon after we had retired. The table fare was rather in- 
different. Our standard dish was salt codfish, variegated at times with salt 
pork, potatoes, with plenty of good bread and butter, and once a week we were 
regaled with mush and molasses. Still we learned a great deal and enjoyed our 
school-life very much. Mr. Mekeel was a bachelor, who was very fond of visit- 
ing, so that we had many pleasant rides with him in winter and summer. He 
would occasionally take us over to Auburn for a few hours, and once he took us 
to Scipio, so that we could be present at the marriage of the two daughters of 
Jethro Wood. They were both married on the same occasion in the Friends' 
meeting-house there. .\ great crowd of the Society were in attendance, many of 
whom, after the usual f|uict ceremony, signed their names as witnesses to the 
marriage certificate. The meetings of the Society of Fricnfls always occurred 
on Thursday morning of each week, and we girls were all obliged to be present, 
but on Sundays we were allowed to attend the Episcopal services in the village 



236 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

church, conducted by the rector, Rev. Mr. Converse. As the reHgious meetings 
of the Friends were usually silent ones, my sister and I embraced the opportunity 
to learn our Bible lessons for the following Sunday. Miss Juliette Legg used to 
drive up to the school and take us to pass the Sabbath at her mother's residence 
in the village, and you can imagine how pleasant the change was from the school 
discipline to the larger liberty afforded in a village family, who lived so de- 
lightfully as did the Leggs. Mrs. Mott was widely known as a prominent 
preacher or speaker in the Society of Friends. She always attended the regular 
quarterly meetings of the Society, which were held at Scipio, and her preaching to 
those assemblages was received with great acceptance. All the scholars were 
very fond of her, and always on her return home we were eager to welcome her, 
and, like all schoolgirls, each one rushed forward to obtain the first kiss. Her 
son Arthur had apparently taken a great personal interest in this practise, so he 
came to the conclusion to try an experiment, so on one occasion, at about the 
hour of his mother's expected return, he dressed himself in her clothes, and 
placed her satin bonnet on his head, at the same time closely wrapping his face 
with a white handkerchief, and, as men in those days had no hirsute appendages, 
the imposition seemed complete, judging from the result. He unobservedly 
went out into the road, and walked slowly from the front gate toward the school 
entrance. We rushed out as usual, and about a dozen of us kissed him before we 
discovered the deception. One day I undertook to decorate myself by curling 
my hair, and accordingly began by carefully constructing two large ' finger-curls,' 
one on each side of my forehead, securing them with pins. I ran down-stairs 
from the dressing-room to meet Mrs. Mott as she came in, when, taking my face 
lietween her hands, she exclaimed, ' Why, Debby, has thee got horns growing? ' I 
never see a curl to this day that I do not recall her words and my mortification, 
(^n Saturdays we all went into the schoolroom, and darned our stockings and 
mended any rents which we found in our dresses. Our teachers were very par- 
ticular in having our needlework done in the neatest manner. If a dress of two 
or more colors was to be mended, we were obliged to have an equal number of 
threads of the same colors, and to match the figures exactly. We made a great 
many little needle-books and pinballs, and were taught to stitch them very neatly. 
Among other accomplishments I learned while at this school was to play whist, 
but it was not one of the regular studies. I was taught by my schoolmates." 

When Mrs. Mott and her son left her pleasant little cottage opposite the 
Friends' meeting-house, she purchased the lot near the village on which she built 
the story-and-a-half cottage which was afterward owned by Frank and Edward 
Potter. This property was subsequently purchased by the late D. C. Robbins, on 
which the present handsome residence is located. After leaving this cottage, Mrs. 
Mott went to Cincinnati, Ohio. Upon her return here she lived in what has been 
known as the Mott cottage, on the hill, in this village, where, after a long and 
suffering illness, her days were ended. May 15, 1862, at the age of eighty-seven. 
Her son Arthur was very attentive to her in her declining days, drawing her out 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. ^37 

in the street in a little hand carriage when she was unable to walk. It is stated 
that she had lived a widow fifty-seven years, and was widely known as one of 
the earliest pioneers in the cause of female education and other philanthropic la- 
bors. Her remains were interred in the " Hicksite " Friends' burying-ground, 
which is nearly opposite her former residence in the little cottage. Her grave is 
unmarked. 

' Lived she her brief day here — 
Night came, and she was laid away 
At the last— forgotten.' 

It was customary for the immediate neighbors of Mrs. Mott. during her last days 
of infirmity and her long-suffering illness, to visit her ; among others a lady who 
would sit and read to her on such subjects as she would select, which had the 
otTect not only to interest but to soothe many of the dreary hours of her solitude. 
Another of her immediate neighbors frequently came in bringing in some little 
appetizing delicacy, or doing something which would alleviate her sufferings in a 
greater or less degree as might be suggested by the immediate occasion. This 
lady had a great love for the old forest trees which formed a grove on the grounds 
surrounding the little old cottage in which Mrs. Mott lived, and the little purling 
brook which ran through that grove of maples, which also ran through the 
grounds of her own immediate home. She had a loving interest in the preserva- 
tion of those stately old trees and for the purity of the waters of that little stream. 
A few years after her aged and infirm old neighbor had died, and after her son 
Arthur had left the old home to reside in a Western State, this lady, whose love 
for those old trees had not diminished by the lapse of time, composed the follow- 
ing lines, reviewing her visits to the age<l invalid, and indicating her personal in- 
terest in the preservation of those f)ld maple-trees. These verses were sent for 
publication in the Democrat, and appeared in the issue of that paper of December 
7, 1865. on the outside page, and without signature or any reference to their au- 
thorship. They were written by the late Mrs. Benoni Lee, and published with the 
implicit understanding they were to be inserted anonymously. These verses are 
appropriately reproduced here in connection with the subject of this paper. 

The Maples of Mott Cottage, 

They grew in the forest tall and fair. 

Until man the destroyer came, 
Felling their brothers for light and air, 

And to nourish the household flame. 

Musing a while on the hill, he stood, 

Watching the day's decline : 
" Why do I fell these lords of the wood. 

Planted by Hand divine? 



238 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

" Sickly exotics from sunnier climes, 

These natives can never replace ; 
Leaves softly murmuring like evening chimes, 

It seems like a hallowed place. 

" A group of trees by this purling brook, 

A cottage would shade and adorn : 
Peace for a pilgrim in yon quiet nook. 

Repose for the weary and worn." 

Bared to the sun, cheered by the bre.eze. 

Half a century of seasons have sped: 
The maples now are grand old trees, 

And the woodman who spared them is dead. 

They catch the first gleam of morn's early light; 

See the shadows steal over the lake ; 
The sun's parting rays linger at night. 

Tinge with gold the wood and the brake. 

In simple attire, with gentle grace. 

Came a lady by years oppressed : 
" In peace, my son, in this tranquil place, 

The way-worn of earth may rest. 

" Here may life close in quiet and ease, 

■yVeary the path I have trod, 
I can list to the murmur of the trees, 

And silently worship God." 

Hushed the lone heart, its pilgrimage done. 

The breezes sigh mournfully by: 
To the bourn that's returnless the mother has gone. 

The son among strangers to die. 

It has been stated heretofore that the scliolars attending the I live were those 
of the different denominations of the town and village, btit later information indi- 
cates that the boarding scholars had a much wider range of locality. The 
Friends' boarding-school in Skaneateles drew a share of its patronage from 
Oneida County. One of its pupils was a daughter of Rev. Dr. Henry Davis, the 
second President of Hamilton College, who afterward became the wife of Rev. 
Ebenezer D. Maltbie, who died in 1859, in Syracuse, where his daughters still live. 
Another of Mrs. Mott's pupils from College Hill was Miss Myra H. N. Ander- 
son, who died in the month of August, 1889, at the age of eighty-nine years. 
Miss Anderson was very fond of relating her schoolgirl experiences at the Hive, 
where she and Miss Davis enjoyed in a college community their first freedom 
from the restraints of home life, and spoke highly of the patience and positive 
goodness of Mrs. Mott. 



HISTORY OF SK.IXEATELES. 239 

Reference has previously been made to George A. Siansbury, a nephew of 
Mrs. Mott, who was a resident in this village in the year 1832. He was one of 
three brothers, all of whom graduated from Hamilton College. His full name 
was George Alexander Stansbury. He died in the year 1863, at the age of fifty- 
nine years. One of his brothers was Samuel Stansbury, who died in 1835. at 
the age of twenty-six years. The other brother was Robert Mott Stansbury, who 
studied and practised medicine, and who died in 1850, at the age of forty-three 
years. The home of the two brothers last named was in Clinton, Oneida County. 
Their gifted sister, Caroline Matilda Stansbury, became the wife of Prof. William 
Kirkland. of Hamilton College, and gained a wide distinction as an author. One 
of her writings was "A New Home, Who'll Follow?" and other popular works. 
Mrs. Kirkland died in April, 1864. Her daughter is a very successful teacher 
and author in Chicago. 

It has previously been stated that Mrs. Mott's remains were interred in the 
" Hicksite " burying-ground. I have since had reliable information that she was 
buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery at Auburn, and in the same grave where her 
sister, Mary Stansbury, had been previously interred. This w-as by the request 
of both sisters. 

Friends who have become interested in this narrative have furnished addi- 
tional items of interest. 

A correspondent in Scipio writes : " We find the name of Lydia P. Mott in 
the list of Friends made in the year 1828, and the date of her death, 1862, Fifth 
Month 15, age eighty-seven. We find in a sketch of early Friends that she came 
in the limits of Scipio Monthly Meetings in 1819. She was of English parentage, 
and she was born on the Atlantic Ocean while her parents were on their passage 
to Philadelphia, where the ship was bound, and she was named for the city of 
their destination — Lydia Philadelphia Stansbury. She was reared in the Episco- 
l)al Church, and the simple ways of her adopted sect were but a thin disguise, 
which rather heightened the effect of the culture and grace which careful training 
gives to the upper classes of England. She was an admirable teacher, and a 
preacher and a member of the Scipio Monthly Meeting, although she lived and 
taught at Skaneateles, giving the name of her school as the ' Hive.' She had a 
genius for benevolence. Her sympathy for suffering and to sufferers never slum- 
bered, nor did any in need of aid find her personal attention wanting. Previously 
to her removal to Skaneateles she lived at Whitcstown, N. Y., where her husband, 
Robert Mott, died. Her sister, Mary Stansbury, had charge of an asylum for the 
Mind, but which one is not known at present." 

Mrs. Mott, it is said by those who knew her intimately, wrote beautiful let- 
ters, which were valuable to keep and pass arounri among those who appreciated 
her friendship. The following extract from one of her letters, addressed to her 
vdung niece while Mrs. Mott was visiting in Ohio, is here given as an example: 

" The old-fashioned simplicity of the members of Miami Meeting is congenial 

my principles. Luxury and vain show is no part of Quakerism. Ah! my 



240 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

beloved girl, keep to the purity and simplicity of our profession. Let other young 
people do as they may. It will dignify thy character, raise thee to usefulness, 
and crown thy mind with that sweet eternal enjoyment which all the delusive 
blandishments of the world can never bestow." 

Another correspondent residing in a distant part of this State thus alludes to 
ci pupil of Mrs. Mott's: 

" Miss Lucy Risley, of New Hartford, a very dear friend of mine, passed 
some two or three years at her school, leaving it in 1827, and she did honor to 
the school by her well-acquired knowledge. And I had the pleasure of an in- 
tmiate acquaintance with Mrs. Kirkland and family. I know the Stansbury con- 
nection. You have made me happy by telling me of her daughter inheriting her 
parent's ability as an authoress and a teacher in Chicago. Lydia P. Mott was a 
lovely character, and merited the charming friends who sweetly ministered to her 
later years." 

The Schoolgirl Life of Mrs. Mott. — Lydia P. Stansbury, which was the 
maiden name of Mrs. Mott, was, at the age of fifteen years, sent to the Moravian 
boarding-school at Bethlehem, Pa. She remained there several years. There 
were at that time seventy-five boarders in the Seminary, and twenty day scholars. 
In the month of March, 1792, fifty-one chiefs and warriors of the Iroquois Con- 
federacy visited Bethlehem while on their way to Philadelphia, then the Federal 
city of the Union. This deputation was an imposing spectacle, especially so to 
the young ladies of the Seminary, and also to the people of the town, such as had 
not been witnessed there for many years. Some detailed account of this delega- 
tion of Indians will be a deviation of this history of Miss Stansbury, but she will 
be interestingly connected with them before the end of this narrative, and the 
Rev. Samuel Kirkland, the missionary who under the direction of the War De- 
partment accompanied these Indians, will be connected by marriage relation with 
Lydia P. Mott's collateral relatives. 

It will be remembered, by such as are acquainted with the transactions of 
the Government with the Indian tribes at the close of the Revolutionary War, 
that President Washington pursued a policy most prudent and humane in refer- 
ence to these people, whose proximity to the young Republic was a matter of no 
little concern. This deputation was organized and conducted by the Rev. Samuel 
Kirkland, who acted under the authority of the War Department, under the di- 
rection of President Washington, in the hope of carrying into effect a project dear 
to his heart, which was none other than the amelioration of the Indian by per- 
suading him to adopt the habits and occupations of civilized life. On the morn- 
ing of March 9, these Indians arrived at Bethlehem by way of Nazareth, from 
Wyoming. " There were," says an eye-witness, " fifty-one chiefs and warriors, 
and among them ten baptized Oneidas, accompanied by their missionary, Rev. 
Samuel Kirkland, a Presbyterian clergyman, who for twenty-five years had taught 
and preached among them at the head of Oneida Lake," The names of some of 
this delegation of Indians were as follows : Red Jacket, Good Peter, Big Tree, 



HISTORY OF SK.IXEATELES. m' 

Lornplanter, Farmer's Brother, Little Billy, Captain Shanks, IVur Jiuimuc or 
Otsiquette, and Hanangaikhou, who were all well-known personages. Most of 
the party were slender, of ordinary stature, with finely developed forms. 
Hanangaikhou, or Infant, was of uncommon height, measuring full six feet four 
— the tallest man at the time in the Six Nations. The majority were dressed in 
white linen shirts, short woolen coats, Indian leggings, consisting of a piece of 
cloth bound around the calf of the leg with thongs, and snugly fitting moccasins 
of deerskin, which latter the wearer was wont to dip into cold water in winter 
before going abroad in order to protect the feet from frost. A number of the 
party had the sleeves of their coats adorned with large plates of silver, or wore 
trinkets of the same material on their bosoms. Some had silver rings and pen- 
dants inserted through the cartilage of the nose: most of them wore massive ear- 
rings of silver or copper, which by their weight drew down the extremity of the 
ear and lengthened the slit through which they were passed. A few carried 
rifles; the rest were equipped with tomahawk, knife, tobacco-pouch, and the 
trusty bow and arrows. The more civilized were dressed somewhat after the 
manner of the whites, wearing in place of cloaks the favorite blanket around the 
shoulders, and on their heads uncouth caps of fur. The deportment of this mot- 
ley group was animated and lively ; and yet they strictly observed the laws of 
decorum, and astonished the schoolgirls by their decent and quiet demeanor. The 
day after the arrival of these chiefs and warriors, the Moravian brethren gave 
them a formal reception at the chapel. The pupils of the seminary, at their sjiecial 
request, were among the spectators and participated in the ceremonies of the occa- 
sion. The Indians were seated across the length of the hall in two semicircular 
rows, facing the minister's table. After the performance of an anthem with full 
accompaniment by the choir, the Moravian Bishop made an address to them, 
which will be given later. It will lie interesting to note here the history of the 
life and missionary work of the Rev. Samuel Kirkland, the Presbyterian mis- 
sionary, who was delegated by the War Department to gather these Indians to- 
gether and to bring them to Philadelphia. One singular coincidence worthy of 
mention in connection with Lydia P. Mott is that, while she was a young school- 
girl, she should meet by mere accident Rev. Samuel Kirkland, the missionary, 
whose grand-nephew, forty years afterward, married her own niece, Caroline 
Matilda Stansbury. And another singular coincidence in reference to this mis- 
sionary is that he was the originator of that prominent seat of learning in our 
own State. Hamilton College, and the husband of Miss Mott's niece was a pro- 
fessor in that college. 

Having been educated in Princeton College, and while yet a college student, 
Samuel Kirkland's heart burned within him as he thought of the untutored chil- 
dren of the woods. He knew that, if he should go to them, many trials and 
hardships awaited him. tJiereforc with the impulsiveness of his nature, at the age 
of twenty-four years, he left Johnstown, in January, 1765, and plunged into the 
wilderness. On that cold winter morning, one hundred and twetilv-six vears 



242 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

ago, he had a dreary journey before him. With his two Indian guides, he was 
to travel two hundred miles, his feet shod with snow shoes, and on his back a 
pack of forty pounds; his path, the trail in the snow made by the feet of his 
dusky leaders. It was at that time that he carried the germ and origination of 
what he afterward accomplished — the Oneida Indian Academy, founded by him 
in 1793 — which was later merged into Hamilton College. His first work was 
among the Senecas. Subsequently he dwelt among the Oneidas, whom he es- 
teemed the noblest of the Iroquois Confederacy. Near the present village of 
Oneida Castle was an Indian village, known as Kanonwarohale. There Kirk- 
land lived for a time. To the log house which he built with his own hands he 
brought his bride, a niece of President Wheelock, of Dartmouth College. They 
journeyed by boat up the Mohawk River, and on horseback through the woods 
to Oneida, his wife on a pillion behind her husband. In this Indian village his 
two sons were born. The Indians gave them high-sounding names. One of 
them, John Thornton Kirkland, afterward became distinguished as President of 
Harvard College. During the Revolutionary War Kirkland was for a time a 
Chaplain in the American army. It also fell to him to endeavor to keep the Six 
Nations in a state of neutrality. After the war he resumed his missionary labor. 
A Cayuga chief, who had heard favorable reports of " the white priest and his 
Bible," came sixty miles to visit him. In 1788, when George Clinton was Gov- 
ernor, the State of New York united with the Oneida Indians in making a grant 
of valuable land to the Rev. Samuel Kirkland, in recognition of his valuable 
services. The tract was two miles square. On this tract of land the following 
year he cleared a few acres, and in the year 1791 he built a small frame dwelling- 
house. He began to mature plans for the erection of an academy for the educa- 
tion of Indians and white settlers. With this view, he visited Philadelphia, then 
the seat of Government, and laid his plans before the public men there, among 
whom was President Washington, who became deeply interested in the enter- 
prise. The cooperation of the Governor of New York and the Regents of the 
University was secured, and a charter granted January 31, 1793. Alexander 
Hamilton, the Secretary of the Treasury, and Colonel Pickering, then Postmas- 
ter-General, furnished substantial aid, and Hamilton was one of the trustees 
named in the petition for incorporation. In honor of him it was called Hamilton 
Oneida Academy, when really the honored name should have been Kirkland 
Oneida Academy. Kirkland gave liberally of his own substance toward the erec- 
tion of the academy. His subscription was as follows : Ten pounds, fifteen 
days' work, and three hundred acres of land for the use and benefit of the 
academy, to be leased and the proceeds to be applied toward the support of an 
able instructor. Other gifts were for the most part in labor and building ma- 
terials, but little money was given. After the foundation was laid and the frame 
raised the funds were exhausted. With characteristic push, Kirkland secured 
additional funds, and the building was enclosed, and a portion fitted up for the 
use of the school, which was opened in 1797. The building was ninety feet long. 



UISrORY OF SKASEATELES. -'43 

thirty-light feet wide, and three stories high. There is no evidence that any In- 
dian youths were educated at the academy. Tlicir roaming, restless disposition 
chafed under the restraints of school, and the few whom Kirkland adopted into 
his own family were soon allowed to return to their tribes. One of the converts to 
Christianity under his ministry was Good Peter, an Oneida chief. The Indians 
called Hamilton College " Yon-da-te-ei-on-ny-en-ni-ta-go," which means " The 
Great School." The corner-stone of the academy building was laid July i, 1793, 
with appropriate and impressive ceremonies, by Major-General Baron de Steuben, 
assisted by the Indian chief Schenandoa. The latter died at the age of one hun- 
dred and ten years, May 11, 1816, and was buried at his own request beside his 
white father — Kirkland, who died in 1808. 

The Moravian Bishop, who addressed the delegation of Indians under the 
charge of Kirkland, their missionary, said to them as follows: 

" Brethren of the Six Nations, you are heartily welcome to Bethlehem. We 
and our children are pleased to see you. Fifty years ago our chiefs and your 
chiefs made a covenant of friendship, promising to love one another and to ren- 
der mutual good services. We, the United Brethren, are lovers and friends of 
all men, as we have one common Father in heaven, and one Lord, even Jesus 
Christ, who redeemed us from evil by his precious blood, shed for the sins of all 
mankind. We have long been waiting for the salvation of your tribes, and of 
all the Indians in this country. It will prove a source of great joy to us could we 
in any way contribute to this object, and aid in converting you to the knowledge 
of the only true God. Be assured of our love and of our sincere wishes for your 
welfare. You see here present a number of young ladies from different parts of 
our country, who rejoice with us in seeing you here, and who have asked permis- 
sion to express their satisfaction personally." 

Here Miss Lydia P. Stansbury, of Philadelphia, handed a written copy of her 
address to one of her schoolmates, who had been selected to communicate it to 
the Indians, most of their number understanding English, and for the others an 
interpreter was present. Miss Lydia P. Stansbury 's address to the warriors and 
chiefs of the Six Nations was as follows : 

" Brothers of the Six Nations, we bid you welcome to our town. Wc are re- 
joiced to see you. We see you without fear and trembling. We regard you as 
friends and brothers. You arc on a good journey. You are going to smoke the 
I'ipe of peace with our great chief, George Washington, and his council, and to 
polish anew the chain of friendship. We wish you a prosperous time and a 
favorable issue to your undertaking, and hope that you may return to your wives 
and children with gladdened hearts. We arc here in Bethlehem to be instructed 
in what is good. Tell your little ones what is good. Tell them we love them ; 
that one Father feeds and protects us both ; that the same sun shines on us. and 
that we were born in the same land. May our children and their descendants 
always dwell in peace and friendship with your children and their descendants! 
May the song of the heavenly messengers be realized in our land, wiicn they 



244 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

sang, ' Glory to God in the highest, and on eartli peace, good will toward 
men ! ' " 

These words, adapted to music, were then sung by the choir with full accom- 
paniment. 

Red Jacket now rose and addressed the Bishop in a few words : " Father," 
said he, " for thus I call you, since you are a servant of the Great Spirit above, and 
strive to promote the ways of justice and peace, I thank you for the kindly wel- 
come and reception we have experienced in your midst. I am persuaded that the 
United Brethren are a blessed and happy people, and I desire that your prayer 
to our common Father that our tribes be brought out of darkness be answered." 

The venerable Good Peter next rose, and, turning to the pupils, expressed 
his thanks for their interest in the Indian, saying that he felt constrained to 
acknowledge their tender address and friendly greeting; that he and his com- 
panions were astonished that such young females ventured to welcome the wild 
sachems and warriors of the Six Nations; that they had done so with the dis- 
creetness of maturer years, from which it was evident how they had profited from 
the instruction they enjoyed at school. " We will," he concluded, " tell our chil- 
dren and grandchildren what has transpired to-day, and hope that, at no remote 
time, they may be favored in their dark wilderness with schools such as are to be 
found in this happy village, where the grace of the Great Spirit reigns in so pecu- 
liar a way." 

At the close of this interesting interview, cakes, apples, and other trifles were 
di.<itributed among the Indians. On the fourth day after their arrival, the chiefs 
and warriors left by way of the Lehigh and Delaware rivers for Philadelphia. 

Good Peter, or Dominie Peter, an Indian chief, was at the time he made the 
above speech in his seventy-seventh year. 

Sa-go-ye-wat-ha (He keeps them awake), or Red Jacket, the celebrated war- 
rior of the Seneca Nation, died at Buiifalo, in 1830, in the seventy-eighth year of 
his age. 

Cornplanter, another of the chiefs, died in 1836, at the age of more than 
one hundred years. 

Farmer's Brother, another chief, died in the year 1814. between eighty and 
ninety years of age. 

Otsiquette, or Pierre Jatjuctte, a young and intelligent Oneida chief, was 
adopted into the family of the Marquis de Lafayette, and taken to France at 
the close of the Revolutionary War to be educated. Love of native country, how- 
ever, proved stronger than attachment to a kind foster-father, and prevailed with 
the Indian prince to resign the splendor of courts and the allurements of a gay 
metropolis for the free forests and lakes of his childhood's home. He died soon 
after reaching Philadelphia, in the twenty-sixth year of his age. 

After this delegation of Indians arrived at Philadelphia, in 1792, President 
Washington, anticipating the arrival of Red Jacket, had a special medal prepared 
for presentation to him, of which we at this late day would not have had any 



HISTORV OF SKANEATELES. 245 

knowledge of its preparation or presentation except through the coincidence, hap- 
pening just as tliis account of the visit of these Indians was being compiled, of 
the publication of the following description of that medal in a Canandaigua paper, 
dated February 17, 1891 : 

" Last Saturday evening, the famous medal presented to the great Indian 
chief. Red Jacket, in 1792, by General George Washington, was received by the 
Red Jacket Club of this village from Mrs. Elizabeth Townsend Meagher, of New 
York, widow of the late General Thomas Francis Meagher, and granddaughter 
of Captain Jasper Parish, the Indian interpreter and Government agent, to whom 
Red Jacket presented it as a token of his regard. This medal was presented to 
Red Jacket by President Washington while he was visiting the Capital in com- 
pany with other warriors and chiefs, and Captain Parish, in 1792. It is solid sil- 
ver, of oblong shape, about five inches in length and two and one-half inches 
wide. Upon the obverse side is engraved a scene representing General Wash- 
ington handing the pipe of peace to Red Jacket, while peaceful employments are 
suggested by the figure of a man plowing with an ox team in the distance. On 
the reverse side is the figure of an eagle, around whose head are grouped the 
fourteen stars representing the fourteen States that formed the Union at the time 
uf the presentation. It is evident that the great chief prized the medal highly, 
for he wore it continually, and some time before his death committed it to the 
keeping of his best friend. Captain Parish, from whom it descended to his grand- 
daughter, who made the presentation to the club." 

Resume. — When it is considered that the subject of this sketch, Mrs. Mott, 
was born 125 years ago; that the incidents of her schoolgirl life and her address 
to the Indians took place over 108 years ago; that her first appearance in Skane- 
ateles took place over 100 years ago; that the school she established — the Hive — 
was discontinued about 70 years ago; that she died about 40 years ago; that 
she left no relatives here, and that the compiler of these papers knew but very 
little about her, and has no recollection of her personally, the attempt to identify 
her life in Skaneateles seemed preposterous, especially after interviewing her old 
acquaintances in town and village, none of whom could furnish any of the fol- 
lowing particulars: The date of her death, her age, when she came here, where 
she resided previously, whether she first established the I live and when, the date 
of her son Arthur's death, where he died, his age, and the date of Mrs. Mott's 
marriage. In commencing this narrative, my object was first to identify her with 
Skaneateles in as succinct a manner as possible with the limited information I 
had at hand; after that, to publish her early life as a schoolgirl at Bethlehem. 
Pa., where she first met Kirkland, the missionary. Having had access to the ar- 
chives of the Moravian Seminary while visiting Bethlehem several years ago, I 
copied the account of the visit of the warriors and chiefs of the Six .Vations in 
1792, and the address of Miss Stansbury to that delegation, also the replies of 
Red Jacket and Good Peter. I thought that this incident in Mrs. Mott's early 
life would be of interest to her old friends and acquaintances in this vicinity. 



246 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

I have by great perseverance succeeded in obtaining from various sources, mostly 
from non-residents, the several disconnected incidents herewith pubHshed. Ac- 
companying my private correspondence to various parts of the country, I have 
usually mailed a copy of the Free Press, marking the Mott article, and in almost 
every instance the allusion to her was met with a response indicating that Mrs. 
Mott was not a stranger, and she was always alluded to as a very lovely character 
and a sweet woman. 

A former resident of Skaneateles, a lady, thus writes : " I was much inter- 
ested in your account of Mrs. Lydia Mott's early life. I remember her well, 
always seeing her at the lectures in the Congregational Hall in the village. I 
liked to sit next to her. I found her very entertaining and lovely in her ways of 
speaking, and her intelligence on all educational and other subjects was very pleas- 
ing. Every schoolgirl who was ever under her tuition recollects how she used to 
instill into their memories the art of sewing neatly, and particularly of darning 
their clothing. On some occasions she would rip, tear, and even cut open a hole 
in a dress, and then teach its owner to repair it in such a manner that it could 
not readily be discovered." 

Referring again to George A. Stansbury, a former resident of this village, who 
was a nephew of Mrs. Mott, it has been stated that he went from here to Bald- 
winsville, where he died. An editorial in the Baldwinsville Gazette, referring to 
this Mott history, states that Stansbury was married in that place in 1840, and 
that two of his children, both deaf-mutes, were simultaneously married in Grace 
Qiurch, August 10, 1869. 

A Former Citizen. — In the Skaneateles Free Press, in the sketch of Lydia 
Mott's life, there occurs a brief mention of the late George A. Stansbury of this 
place : 

" Reference has been made in a previous paper to George A. Stansbury, a 
nephew of Mrs. Mott, who was a resident in this village in 1831. He was one of 
three brothers, all of whom graduated from Hamilton College. His full name 
was George Alexander Stansbury.' He died in the year 1863, at the age of fifty- 
nine years. Their gifted sister, Caroline Matilda Stansbury, became the wife 
of Prof. William Kirkland, of Hamilton College, and gained a wide distinction 
as an author. One of her writings was " A New Home, Who'll Follow ? " and 
other popular works. Mrs. Kirkland died in April, 1864. Her daughter is a suc- 
cessful teacher and author in Chicago." 

Mr. Stansbury strongly resembled the Mott family in personal appearance, 
and was widely known through his "Interest Tables." On August 24, 1840, he 
was married by Bishop De Lancey, to Mrs. Evelina M. Goodell, in what is now 
Grace Church Rectory. 

His estimable wife long survived him. In the parish register his death is 
recorded as occurring September 17, 1863, at the age of fifty-eight years. Very 
many will recall the beautiful double wedding of his two deaf-mute daughters in 
Grace Church, August 10, 1869. Mrs. Stansbury's death took place nearly twelve 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. -47 

years after that of her husband, September i6, 1875. Both were buried liere. — 
Gametic ami fanners' Journal, Baldivinsvillc, N. Y. 

A Quaker Seliool. — The Eree Press has some pleasant reminiscences of a 
Quaker school in Skaneateles, well known as the " Hive." nearly seventy years 
ago. A former schoolgirl gives some of her experiences. When Mrs. Mott, 
the teacher, came back from the quarterly meetings in Scipio, the girls always 
rushed out for the first kiss. Her son Arthur tried an experiment by arraying 
himself in his mother's Quaker dress, and entering the gate. " We rushed out 
as usual, and about a dozen of us kissed him before we discovered the deception." 
How many afterward is not recorded. The same lady says : "Among other ac- 
complishments I learned while at this school was to play whist, but it was not one 
of the regular studies. I was taught by my schoolmates." — Gazette and Farmers' 
Journal, Baldicinsville, N. Y. 

The Earliest Recorded Description of Skaneateles by a Traveler. — 
Rev. Timothy Dwight, while on a journey to Niagara, passed through the local- 
ity where the village is now, and thus described the settlement and the lake, 
October i, 1804, ninety-seven years ago: 

" In the western part of Marcellus, there is a beautiful lake named Skaneateles, 
commencing in the township of TuUy, crossing the corner of Sempronius, and 
reaching through a -considerable part of Marcellus. Its length is fifteen miles, 
and its breadth from one to two. At the outlet of this fine piece of water, 
sprightly and vigorous, running between high and rough banks, and without any 
of those marshy incumbrances which spread deformity and disease around the 
outlets of so many lakes in this region, there is a small settlement, which I thought 
peculiarly pretty. It is built upon the north end of the lake and upon a handsome, 
clean margin. The lake is in full view, and interested me more than any other 
on the road. The shores on both sides are elegant arched slopes ; the eastern 
already handsomely cultivated. The soil is excellent, and the fields were covered 
with a glowing verdure. At the south end of the lake, the prospect is limited by 
distant mountains, in this region uncommon, and therefore perculiarly gratify- 
ing objects." 

The foregoing extract is taken from Dwight's "Travels in New England and 
New York," in four volumes, Svo, published in New Haven, in 1822. 

Timothy Dwight was born in 1752, and died in 18 17. At the period of his 
visit here, in 1804, the location of the present city of Syracuse, according to 
Clark's " History of Onondaga," was " a dark, gloomy, and almost impenetrable 
swamp, being a part of the Salt Springs Reservation." The locality of the pres- 
ent Auburn was " a few scattering log houses, which were afterward named 
' Hardcnhurgh's Corners.' " 

Historical Collections. — Tiic autlior published in the Skaneateles Demo- 
crat twenty years ago a series of collections of early history, entitled " Many 
Years .\go. Random Sketches of Life in Skaneateles in Early Times." which 
attracted much interest. 



248 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



CHAPTER XVII. 
The Teasel Industry, Varjous Corporations, and Banks. 

The Teasel Industry of Skaneateles. — The teasel is a plant of the genus 
Dipsacus, of which one species, D. fullonuiu, bears a large burr or flower-bud, 
covered with stiff, prickly, hooked awns or bracts, which when dried is used for 
raising a nap on woolen cloth. This process is termed " teaseling." The fine 
fibers or hairs of the wool forming the threads of the woven woolen cloth arc, 
by the action of the hooked awns on the extremity of the spines of the burr, 
gradually and very slowly drawn out from the woven cloth, and are always drawn 
in one direction, thus leaving a fine finish on the surface of the cloth. The teasel 
has been in continual use for this purpor.e ever since the period of the Roman 
Empire. 

The exterior of the teasel burrs is from two to four inches in length, and 
about one to one and a half inches in diameter. The bud, or seed receptacle, forms 
the center of the burr. On the extreme point of each individual spine is what may 
be termed a curved hook, which is nearly at right angles with the spine ; its point 
is exceedingly sharp. In use, the teasels are placed on a large cylinder, about 
four feet in diameter, close together in regular order, w^th the stems of the burrs 
all in one direction. The woven woolen cloth is placed on another cylinder, which 
revolves very slowly in the opposite direction to the teasel cylinder, the cloth being 
drawn over the teasels and against the sharp points of the hooks, the effect of 
which causes these sharp points to draw each individual hair or filament from the 
threads of the woven cloth, and, if the filament of woolly hair does not draw out 
easily, the flexible spines of the teasel burr bend in such manner as to allow the 
cloth to pass over the sharp points without damage. It is just this character 
of the teasel that shows its adaptability for its especial use. Although human 
ingenuity has produced appliances to take the place of the natural teasel, yet 
the trivial cost of the teasel, and its adaptability to being easily freed from accu- 
mulations of wool and grease while in use over the surface of the woven cloth, 
make it superior to any mechanical arrangement. The accumulation of objection- 
able matter on the surface of the teasel is cured by turning the teasel over to 
another face. 

The teasel plant is a biennial, two years licing required for its full growtli. 
Its roots and leaves are formed the first year, and the plant that year rcsemblo< 
a field of turnips. The second year a strong, thorny stalk is thrown up, which 
becomes filled with many branches. On the extreme end of each branch, and on 
each twig, a teasel is formed. The size of each differs in accordance with its 
position on the jilant, the lower ones being the smallest, and they increase in size 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 249 

toward the top. Each size has its peciihar name among the growers and dealers. 
The top and largest is termed " The King," while the lowest are called " lluttons." 
After the seed has been planted and the plants have appeared above ground, it is a 
prime necessity that the plants should be kept free from the growth of weeds The 
seed is sown in rows, which are wide enough apart to allow the use of a horse and 
cultivator between the rows. During the secoiul year alter planting the teasels 
ripen in the month of August, when many men and boys are employed in the 
work, whose pay depends upon their ability in cutting off the teasels from the 
thorny plant and conveying them from the field in large baskets, furnished for 
the purpose by the employers. The employees are paid by the thousand, which by 
weight is ten pounds. To protect their hands from being injured by the thorns 
!i the plant in gathering the teasels, they are obliged to wear an inexpensive 
teasel mitten," or glove. The burrs are cut off about two inches from the base 
.-1 the burr, or teasel, with a simitar-shaped knife or blade, as the stalk of the plant 
is verv tough and difficult to cut. .\fitT the cruj) has been gathered, the next 




process is thoroughly ;>■ >.i > i,,^ ,,>.» >. ...-.els. This is effected by placing them 
spread out on temporary shelves, one above another, in a barn or building which 
has been prepared for the purpose by removing some of the vertical or horizontal 
boards from the outside of the building, to allow a free access of the air through 
the teasels. All the foregoing growth and gathering of the crop has been the work 
r<f the growers or farmers. The crop is then for sale to the teasel merchants, who 
irchase them at prices in accordance with the market or demand, by making offers 
'■' so much a thousand of ten pounds in weight. During the War of the Rebellion 
asels were in demand at five dollars per thousand. Of course that price was 
cessive, owing to the Government's contracts for the clothing of the troops, and 
aUn in a measure to the scarcity of laborers for farmwork, and therefore a dimin- 
ished crop of teasels. At the present writing ( 1899) the market for teasels is very 
lipressed, being forty cents per thousand. Twenty years ago, farmers considered 
; I ly cents per thousand as being equal to a crop of corn at the price then ruling for 
rn. At the present time com is depressed in value, and is alx)ut the ratio of 



250 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

teasels at forty cents. The farmers consider that teasels and corn are not paying 
crops. The next process is to prepare the crops of teasels for sale to the woolen 
cloth manufacturers. The work is done during the winter season by men and boys 
in what are called " teasel-shops," which are kept comfortable by heat. The 
teasel as it comes from the farmers after being dried has a projecting appendage 
from its base, similar in shape to a spur. These are numerous and very tough 
and prickly, and are cut off close to the base of the teasel with sheep-shears. This 
work is called " trimming teasels," and gives employment to many persons who 
otherwise would be unable to procure employment during the winter. The 
employees are paid by the thousand, in accordance with their ability to do the 
work very fast. The teasels after being trimmed and assorted as to size are very 
carefully packed in large-sized boxes, which are calculated to hold a certain num- 
ber of thousands. Each teasel is packed into these boxes by hand, in regular rows 
and uniformity of size. The growth of the teasel plant in this country is limited 
to but few States. The town of Skaneateles and Marcellus, in the State of New 
York, supply the demand of the whole United States, with the exception of the 
State of Oregon, in which is grown a comparatively small crop. Teasels are im- 
ported from France, and are of a very superior quality. The duties imposed 
upon them are almost prohibitive, and prevent their importation, except in small 
quantities for some special purpose. Forty years ago the teasel merchants packed 
teasels in large boxes loosely for shipment (not by hand as is done now), and in 
order to enhance the weight the seeds were placed in the center, the seeds having no 
commercial value. This system did not please the buyers, in consequence of which 
the teasel merchants in this section were held in bad repute, and through the in- 
fluence of the woolen manufacturers the duties on foreign teasels were very mate- 
rially reduced or taken off. The very careful cultivation of tlie teasel produces 
it to perfection ; while uncultivated, the plant grown from seeds dropped in the 
highways during the transportation of teasels by wagons loosely produces a teasel 
similar in outward appearance to the cultivated, but it has no hooks or awns on the 
spines of the burr, and is therefore useless. It has been stated heretofore that 
the fanners or "growers sell their crop by the thousand, and the employees in the 
teasel-shops in the trimming process are paid according to their dexterity, some 
earning not much more than fifty cents a day, while others earn a dollar. The 
number of thousands is determined by weight, which is ten pounds. The teasel 
merchants, after their purchases from the farmers and other growers at the rate of 
ten pounds to the thousand, and after having paid the teasel trimmers at the same 
rate per thousand, must of necessity have their profit, which is obtained by their 
sales to the woolen manufacturers at the rate of seven pounds to the thousand, 
which is the established terms of sale. 

Skaneatelks Water Works Company. — The Skaneateles Water Works 
Company was organized August ii, 1887, by George Barrow, President; J. K. 
Knox, Secretary; and Vi. F. Pctheram, Treasurer. The supply of water is taken 
from the lake by pumping. 



HISTORY OF SK.L\E.1TI-LES. .'51 

The Skaneati£Les Iron Works. — The Skaneatelcs Iron Works Company was 
org^anized in 1866, under the following certificate: 

Certificate of Incorporation. 
We whose names are hereunto signed do hereby certify that \vc have associated together 
and formed a manufacturing company for the purpose of carrying on and conducting the 
business of manufacturing merchant iron, bolts, nuts, washers, rivets, carriage clips, and all 
other articles manufactured from iron or steel. That the corporate name of said company is 
" The Skaneateles Iron Works." That the objects for which the said Company is formed 
are to manufacture merchant iron, bolts, nuts, washers, rivets, carriage clips, and all other 
articles manufactured from iron or steel. That the amount of the capital stock of said Com- 
pany is fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), and shall consist of five hundred shares of one 
hundred dollars each. That the term of existence of said Company is fifty years. That the 
number of Trustees of the said Company is four; and the following are the names of the 
Trustees who shall manage the concerns of said Company for the first year, to wit: Eben 
Bean, George H. Earll, Edward B. Coe, and Henry Vary. And that the operations of said 
Company are to be carried on in the town of Skaneateles, Onondaga County, and State of 
New York. 

Dated the sth day of December, 1866. Eben Bean, 

E. B. CoE, 
George H. Earll, 
Henry Vary. 
Signed and acknowledged before me by Eben 
Bean, George H. Earll, Edward B. Coe, 
and Henry Vary, and each and every of 
them, this sth day of December, 1866. 

H. J. Hubbard, Notary Public. 

The company immediately erected their buildings, and put in their plant, and 
did roll a considerable quantity of merchant iron from scrap iron, but it was not 
very lonp before the company needed additional capital, as appears by the follow- 
ing notice : 

Meeting of the Stockholders of the Skaneateles Iron Works. 
Notice is hereby given that a meeting of the stockholders of the Skaneateles Iron Works 
is called for and will be held at the office of the Company, in the town of Skaneateles, 
County of Onondaga, and State of New York, on the 28th day of June, 1869, at one o'clock 
in the afternoon, for the purpose of increasing the capital stock to the amount of one 
hundred and fifty thonsaiul dollars. 

Dated May 20. 1869. George H. Earll, 

Sedcewick Austin, 
E. B. Coe. 
John McNamara, 
E. Bean. 

By a vote of the trustees it was determined to issue inortgagc bonds. These 
were duly prepared and offered for sale in the Syracuse bond market, but it seemed 
that there were no buyers. As it was iinperative that money must be bad. the 
stockholders held a meeting, and by a unanimous vote determiiiod individually to 



252 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

indorse the bonds in order to make tliem more acceptable to investors. This plan 
proved successful, the bonds were readily sold, and the desired money raised. More 
merchant iron was manufactured, but it was not long before the company wanted 
more money. This deficiency of money was probably caused by there being but 
little money originally paid in by the stockholders. The proposition to issue new 
indorsed bonds became known to former investors, and they instituted an inquiry 
as to the individual responsibility of the stockholders, which resulted in making 
an additional issue unsalable. There was only one exception, and that was an 
old farmer residing in the town of Sennett. He was prosecuted for the whole 
issue of the indorsed bonds. The worry of this litigation was the cause of his 
death, and afterward his estate was prosecuted by the holders of the bonds, and 
that about finished the Skaneateles Iron Works. The buildings and plant had 
been previously mortgaged to a Syracuse savings-bank for $ii,ooo. This mort- 
gage was foreclosed and offered at public sale. There were no bidders, but the 
bank made the only bid, $5,000. and as a finality the bank sold the whole property, 
probably to the originators of the Glenside Woolen Company; but whoever pur- 
chased it got it probably at what it cost the savings-bank, in the vicinity of $11,000. 
The closing act was thus commented on in one of the village papers, January 8, 
1876: 

" Yesterday, the Rolling Mill Works were sold under the hammer to the Onondaga 
County Savings-Bank for the sum of $5,000, the only hid offered. We understand the 
savings-bank had a claim of some Sii.oco, and, if there had been any bid against it, the 
bidding would probably have been run up to its claim. What a shrinkage is here ! In about 
eight years there had been invested in these works over $100,000, and now the property is 
virtually bid in for the nominal sum of $5,000 ! Now, what has caused this depreciation ? 
Has it been bad management, or leakage, or incapacity to do business, is what the community 
hereabout would like to know. As there is good water-power and ample range of buildings 
the property will not long be idle, it w-ill change hands, and some paying business be 
inaugurated." 

Thk Sk.\xf..\teles Wood-Wokking Comp.\ny. — The Skaneateles Wood- 
Working Company was organized in accordance with their certificate of incorpora- 
tion as follows : 

" The object and business of said association shall be the manufacture of 
sleigh and cutter woods, and the manufacture in general of other articles of wood, 
in the town of Skaneateles. Amount of capital stock, $10,000, in two hundred 
shares of fifty dollars each. Term of duration, fifty years. The following per- 
sons are to manage the business for the first year as Trustees: Walter H. Cornell. 
William R. Willetts, Joseph C. Willetts. F. Nye Harwood, and Benjamin 1'. 
Petheram. 

"Dated November 4, 1881." 

Skaneateles Lake Park Comtany. — The Skaneateles Lake Park Company 
was instituted under the following certificate of incorporation : 

" Whereas, John E. Waller, John McNamara, Martin Fennell, William F. 
Gregory, and Lewis B. Fitch desiring to form a corporation, the object for which 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 253 

said company shall be formed is the business of erecting^ buildings for hotel pur- 
poses, and keeping hotels. Capital stock, $30,000. Term of existence, fifty years. 
Number of shares, 300. Five Trustees to manage the business for the first year : 
Joim E. Waller, John McXamara, ^[artin Fennell. William V. Gregory, and L. B. 
Fitch. 

" Dated, December 4, 1888." 

The Drvden, Groton, and Moravi.\ TklegrtVPH Comp.\ny. — The Dryden, 
: ton, and Moravia Telegraph Company was organized for the purpose of con- 
>iructing a telegraph line between .\uburn and Oswego, on the line of the Southern 
Central Railroad. Its promoter was Mr. Squire, of Ithaca, who, failing to pro- 
cure the necessary capital subscribed, came to Skaneateles, and proposed to change 
his terminal from Auburn to Syracuse, provided he could get financial aid here 
sufficient to carry out his project. Previous efforts had been made to get the 
Western Union Telegraph Company to build a l(X)p from the Junction to this 
village, but its frequent promises were not kept. The nearest telegraph station 
was at the Junction, five miles distant, and all messages by telegraph had to be 
brought to the village by the stage-drivers. Mr. Squire was, therefore, warmly re- 
ceived and money furnished him, conditioned that the main office should be located 
in Skaneateles, and that a majority of its directors and officers were to be from this 
place. The organization as completed consisted of : Henry J. Hubbard, President ; 
Henry T. We!)h. Secretary ; and Thomas Isom, Jr., Treasurer. On the day that 
the line was completed the Western Union Company built the loop from the 
Junction to and from the village, and competition for business at once com- 
menced. .Ml the little villages located on the main line that had subscribed for a 
few shares of stock demanded that ofticcs should be opened in their villages, which 
was done in many instances, with the result that at the end of the year the expenses 
were greater than the receipts, which, therefore, created a debt. Offices which 
were not self-supporting were then abandoned, and the line continued, but 
the debt was a source of contention. The out-of-town directors resolved what 
seemed sharp practise, but were ciicckmated, and the line came into possession of 
Messrs. Hubbard & Webb, who subsequently sold it to the Atlantic & Pacific Com- 
pany, who were the rivals of the Western Union Telegraph Company. 

The Centr.vl New York Electric Light and Power Company. — In 
November, 1889, franchises were granted to the Central New York Electric Light 
and Power Company by the town and village. The electricity is transmitted to 
Skaneateles Village from the company's plant, near Elbridge, which also supplies 
the villages of Elbridge and Jordan. George P.arrow is President and Secretary. 

The Lake Bank. — The Lake Bank was organized during the month of 
March, 1863, with a paid-up capital of $100,000, and commenced business in May 
of the same year. The banking office was located on the corner of Genesee and 
Jordan streets, formerly known as the Hecox Block. Its first officers were: .\nson 
Lapham, President ; Charles Pardee, Vice-President ; and Henry J. Hubbard, 
Cashier, On the first annual election subsequent to its organization, Charles 



254 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Pardee was elected President (Anson Lapham having declined reelection) and 
C. W. Allis elected Vice-President. 

The First National BANK.^On the 4th of March, 1864, the First National 
Bank of Skaneateles was organized, with a capital of $50,000. Its directors were : 
Charles Pardee, Henry J. Hubbard, Thomas Isom, Jr., Giles M. Lawrence, and 
Lucien Moses. Its first oiScers were: Charles Pardee, President, and Henry J. 
Hubbard, Cashier. No active commercial business was done by this bank until 
June 15, 1865, when the capital stock was increased to $150,000, and it absorbed all 
the business of the Lake Bank. In December, 1867, owing to the excessive 
assessment and taxation, which seemed to its officers as a discrimination against 
tlie bank, the stockholders voted to go into voluntary liquidation, and the business 
of the bank was afterward carried on with the same capital, under the firm name 
of C. Pardee & Co. 

The Bank of Skaneateles. — The Bank of Skaneateles was organized during 
the month of August, 1869, with a capital stock of $100,000. Its officers were: 
Joel Thayer, President ; Anson Lapham, Vice-President ; and B. F. Stiles, Cashier. 

Skaneateles Savings-Bank.- — The Skaneateles Savings-Bank was organized 
April 25, 1866. The first trustees were: John Barrow, Richard Tallcot, Joel 
Thayer, Charles Pardee, Anson Lapham, Josias Garlock, Joab L. Clift, Caleb W. 
Allis, Ezekial B. Hoyt, George H. Earll, Leonard H. Earll, Henry J. Hubbard, 
Thomas Isom, Jr., and Henry L. Roosevelt. Its officers were: John Barrow, 
President; Richard Tallcot, Vice-President; Henry T. Webb, Secretary and 
Treasurer; and Edward T. Bartlett, Attorney. November 17, 1866, Joab L. Clift 
was elected President, and Josias Garlock, Vice-President, in plice of John Barrow 
and Richard Tallcot, resigned. May i, 1867, H. T. Webb resigned as Secretary 
and Treasurer, and F. G. Jewett was elected as his successor. January i, 1868, 
F. G. Jewett resigned as Secretary and Treasurer, and was succeeded by Josias 
Garlock. 

Explanation of Charles Pardee's Opposition to an Incorporated Public 
Cemetery. — After the old burial-ground, originally purchased by the Skaneateles 
Religious Society, in 1812, had been used for burial purposes by the whole town 
for sixty years, the late Freeborn G. Jewett proposed, in the interest of the town, 
to purchase an additional section of adjoining land for cemetery purposes, and, 
as Charles Pardee previously had experience in the management of the old 
burying-ground. Judge F. G. Jewett proposed to him to become a partner, and 
to take full charge of the cemetery. F. G. Jewett and Charles Pardee pur- 
cliased from James Cannings Fuller, .August 21, 1846, one and twelve-hundredths 
acres of land adjoining the old burial-ground. Consideration paid to J. C. 
Fuller, $392, at the rate of $350 per acre. This piece of land was laid out into 224 
lots, each measuring 10 by 16 feet, therefore costing $1.75 each. Judge F. G. 
Jewett established the uniform price per lot at ten dollars. At this rate this piece 
of land would produce $2,240, or at the rate of $2,000 per acre. In consequence of 
the great demand for burial-lots and the very reasonable price for them, nearly all 



HISTORV OF SKAKEATELES. 255 

tlie 224 lots had been sold before Judse Jewett's death, which occurred January 
2y. 1858. The following; is a copy of the deed sfivcii to purchasers of lots in the 
■ Jewett & Pardee " cemetery : 

This Indenture, made this in the year one thousand eight hundred and 

between Freeborn G. Jewett and Charles Pardee, of Skaneateles. in the county 

of Onondaga, of the first part, Witnesseth, that the parties of the first part, in consideration 

of the sum of dollars to them paid, have sold and by these presents do gram 

and convey to the party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, all that part of the ground 
recently purchased by them of James C. Fuller, and which they have l.iid out f..r ?. '• 




SKANEATKI 



as lot number with the appurtenances, to be used and occupied by the party of 

the second part, his heirs and assigns, as a part of such cemetery, and for no other purposL-. 
In Witness Whereof, the parties of the first part have hereunto sot their hands and 
seals, the day and year first written. 

The deeds executed during the lifetiine of F. G. Jewett were executed by the 
parties of the first part. After Freeborn G. Jewett's death the deeds were executed 
as follows : " C. Pardee, successor, etc." 

After the death of James Cannings Fuller, which occurred November 25, 1847. 
the late Sumner Fuller came into possession of all the lands adjoining and lying to 
the north of the Jewett & Pardee purchase. 

Note. — It is deemed proper here to make an explanatory memorandum respect- 
ing this history of the village burial-grounds previous to the incorporation of the 
" L^ke View Rural Cemetery .Association," in the year 1871. In the following 
relation of that history there is no intention to censure either Sumner Fuller or 



25 6 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Charles Pardee. Both were engaged in a legitimate business transaction. Sumner 
Fuller was the owner of lands which were made valuable by being contiguous to 
the village cemetery. Charles Pardee individually owned and controlled the 
village cemetery, and when it became his interest to enlarge its area, as had been 
previously done, it was imperatively to his interest to acquire Sumner Fuller's 
lands, as these were the only available ones to be obtained adjoining the cemetery. 
Of course. Air. Fuller being aware of the largely enhanced value of lands within 
a cemetery, it was to his interest to obtain the best possible terms of sale. After 
the decease of the late Freeborn G. Jewett, January 27, 1858, Charles Pardee 
purchased from Sumner Fuller, September 14, 1861, one and eighty-hundredths 
acres adjoining on the north the Jewett & Pardee purchase. The recorded deed 
was as follows : " Sumner Fuller to C. Pardee, in consideration of three hundred 
and sixty dollars, one undivided one-half of one acre and eighty-hundredths of an 
acre." This piece of land was laid out into 360 lots, 10 by 16 feet, which were 
rated at from $20 to $30 each according to location, and at an average of $25 
would when sold amount to $9,000. Of course, the inference is, from the condi- 
tions of the deed of sale, that the profits were to be equally divided between both 
parties, Sumner Fuller and Charles Pardee. The cost of each lot would be $2, at 
the rate of $720 for the whole ownership. Nearly eleven years after the above 
undivided purchase, namely, May i, 1872, according to a recorded deed in the 
Coimty Clerk's Office, Sumner Fuller and wife conveyed by deed to C. Pardee all 
the lands lying north of and adjoining said C. Pardee's lands, containing about 
three acres, also all his (Fuller's) " right, title, and interest in the undivided piece 
of land which I sold to said C. Pardee, September 14, 1861 ; consideration, $2,750." 
As Sumner Fuller had been receiving his proportion of the profits from the sale of 
lots of the undivided piece of land since 1861, nearly eleven years, the addition of 
the $50 to his price for the three acre lot indicates his valuation of the unsold lots 
of the partnership land. If C. Pardee actually paid $2,700 for that three acre lot, 
it was a good business operation for Mr. Fuller to receive nine hundred dollars 
an acre for lands not worth over one hundred dollars for any other purpose. 
Charles Pardee was the owner and manager of all the village burial-grounds for 
twenty years, from 1858 (date of F. G. Jewett's death) to 1878 (date of C. Par- 
dee's death). As such he made it a profitable business transaction. Under these 
conditions it was against his interest to allow any interference with his rights, and 
to oljject to selling his lands, held for sale by him, to the Rural Cemetery Associa- 
tion, and it was indispensable in order to protect his interests to place every 
obstacle in the way to prevent any connection with the lands of the opposing new 
association. During his twenty years of ownership and control of the burial- 
grounds, no register of interments was ever kept. No rules or regulations for 
. the good order of the grounds ever existed. Imperfect conveyances were made for 
sale of lots and plats. Only one memorandum was made, and that was a map of 
the grounds, made on ordinary yellow wrapping-paper, on which was a diagram 
of the lots, numbered, and the names of each purchaser placed thereon. Such 



HISTORV OF SKANEATELES. -\S7 

were tlie village burial-grounds, held for speculative purposes, for twenty years, 
when I, alone, assumed the responsibility of issuing a call, through the columns 
of the Skaneateles Democrat, June 29, 1871, inviting the citizens of Skaneateles to 
take such preliminary action as may be necessar>' to organize and establish an 
incorporated public cemetery. The prestige of C. Pardee at that time wielded a 
commanding influence in this community. He had previously been President of 
the village for several years, and was so at tliat time, and was engaged in the bank- 
ing business. Plis influence was such that there was not an individual in the whole 
community that had the courage to initiate a movement to establish an incorporated 
public cemetery. The result of that public call was the establishment of " The 
Incorporated Rural Cemetery of Lake View." As I was originator and promoter, 
and the only real active member of the Corporation, I found it very difficult to 
establish the cemeterj' on a tirm basis, owing to the apathy and indifference of 
more than half of the menibers of the board of trustees. The influence of Mr. 
J^ardce was very apparent. When it became necessary to solicit loans, secured 
by a certificate of indebtedness, not a single member of the trustees offered to take 
this important matter in charge. No committee was appointed, therefore I 
assumed the duty, and individually solicited subscriptions from citizens who I 
thought would be interested in the contemplated public cemetery. It was imme- 
diately a necessity to have the lots laid out and mapped, in order to be in a position 
to dispose of them. There being no money on hand to meet the expense, I 
assumed that duty, and personally laid out all the avenues, and employed a man 
and team of horses to plow out all of them. I laid out all the lots myself, individ- 
ually, and mapped the whole grounds. Had it not been for my timely call for a 
public meeting of the citizens of this village to meet at Legg Hall, July i, 1871, 
to take such action as may be necessary to establish an incorporated public ceme- 
tery, the present village cemetery would not now be in existence. In the mean 
time, the old burial-ground would have continued under its former auspices, in full 
operation. In order to explain this prediction, it may be stated that the prelimi- 
naries which were required to obtain the title to the lands belonging to Rcuel 
Smith, Sr., did not end until .'\pril i, 1873, when the appraised value became due. 
which was $2,150. There not being money enough on hand to pay this sum, of 
course I advanced the deficiency, $650, and the $2,150 was paid, which completed 
the title to " The Lake View Rural Cemetery Association." Reuel Smith, Sr., 
died September 6. 1873, five months after the title to the lands of the present 
village cemetery had been acquired. The lands of Reuel Smith, Sr., after his 
death became vested in such manner that they could not have been sold for any 
purpose for a long term of years, in consequence of which it would have been 
impossible to have located a cemetery where the village cemetery is now. I will 
say here that, although my interests in the establishment of a new cemetery were 
antagonistic to Mr. Pardee's interest in that respect, in all my intercourse with 
him I never exchanged an unpleasant or disagreeable word with him. and always 
saluted him politely, as a gentleman. 



258 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

Lake View Cemetery and Skaneateles Lake. 

The Origin of Lake \'iew Cemeteki-. — There are very few persons now in 
this village who are aware how our beautiful and attractive cemetery originated, 
and how, without cost to the taxpayers or citizens, it became the property of the 
village of Skaneateles. It is necessary, in the narration of the following history 
of this cemetery, to write in the first person. Therefore, I claim to have been the 
sole and only originator, under the most adverse and opposing conditions, per- 
severed, and finally completed its permanent establishment, and its final conveyance 
to the corporation of " The Trustees of the Village of Skaneateles." 

Noticing for many years the disgraceful old burying-ground that was a re- 
proach to this community, I determined to attempt the formation of an Incor- 
porated Rural Cemetery Association, under a general law of this State which 
authorized the formation of such corporations. In accordance with this deter- 
mination, I inserted the following notice of a meeting to be held at Legg Hall, 
which was published in the Skaneateles Democrat, June 29, 1871, and appended 
the names of such public-spirited citizens as suggested themselves to my mind 
at the moment, believing that the gentlemen would not object to the use of their 
names for so commendable a purpose: 

Pl'blic Meeting. 
The citizens of Skaneateles arc requested lo meet al Legg Hall, on Saturday next, July i. 
at 4 P.M., to take such preliminary action as may he necessary to organize and establish an 
incorporated public cemetery. 

G. T. Campbell, Richard T.\llcott, 

C. Pardee, Joel Thayer, 

An-SON La1'H.\m, Willi.am Marvin, 

C. W. Allis, S. C. Whe.mjon, 

E. N. Leslie, E. Reuel Smith, 

JosiAH Garlock, G. W. Earll, 

Newell Turner, J. C. DeWitt, 

L. T. Bartlett, Evelyn Porter, 

W. J. Amerman, Benoni Lee, 

Henry T. Webh, F. V. D. Horton, 

W. H. Patterson, John D.wy, 

Joseph H. Burnett, Georc.e Francis, 

John Packwood, Horace Cornell. 

The following announcement of that meeting was made by the Democrat : 

Public Meeting. 
In accordance with the call published in the Democrat, a meeting was held in Legg Hall 
to consider the subject of organizing an incorporated public cemetery, at wliicb the following 



HISTORY or SK.IXEATELES. 



'59 



named persons were present: William Marvin, G. W. Earll. \V. Piatt, J. C. iJt Witt. W. 11. II, 
Crosier, E. N. Leslie, G. T. Campbell, P. O. C. Benson, C. \V. Allis. O. Voung. J. A. Rout, 
L. Cleaveland, D. Hall. E. B. Palmer, A. A. Brooks. 

On motion, Hon. William Marvin was elected President, and P. O. C. Benson, Secretary. 
Mr. E. N. Leslie stated the object of the meeting, and read the State law referring to the 
subject under consideration. 

Discussion followed at some length, and, on motion, Messrs. William Marvin, E. X. 
Leslie, and J. C. De Witt were appointed a committee to investigate the subject of incorporat- 
ing and enlarging the present cemetery, and the chairman of the committee was empowered to 
call another meeting of the inhabitants of this vicinity whenever the committee was ready to 
report. The meeting then adjourned. 

The cliairman of the committee, William Marvin, called another mcetinjj for 
Saturday, Aus^iist 27, at 3 P.M.. statinjj that the committee ap])ointed at the 





' — ^ pt-:'^ i^ SAT «»«» 



t)RItilNAI, MAIL AND PASSENGER S T.M .1; i . . \. M 

is the nriRinal mail ond passenger four-hor«c ataRc-conch. ii-|)rvi.i.niin(; 
by Isaac Sherwood. (Sec Chapter IV., page ><^) 



previous meeting had invc^tifjated llie suhjcct in detail and were prepared to 
present a report, interesting not only to tiie present lot owners and inhabitants of 
tlie village, but to all others in the adjoining vicinity. In a report of that mcetin^j. 
the Democrat gave an extended account of the proceedings, in which occurred 
the following remarks : 

President William Marvin, in a few remarks, stated the object of the meeting, after 
which E. N. Leslie read an interesting and extended report from the committee, in which 
they recommended that immediate steps be taken to incorporate the present village cemetery, 
and that an association be formed as directed by the Act of the Legislature authorizing the 
Incorporation of Rur.nl Cemetery Associations, and for that purpose suggested that a board 
'if twelve trustees be elected as advised by that act. The report was discussed at length, after 
«liich it was unanimously accepted and adopted. Tv.elvc Trustees were then elected, anl 



26o HISTORY OF SKANEATELES: 

classified to serve one, two, and three years, after which the name of " Lake View Cemetery 
Association " was adopted, and other details of the organization were enacted according 
to law. 

The next important matter to be considered was the acquisition of adjoining- 
lands for the new cemetery. Those lands belonged to Reuel Smith, Sr. Another 
most important subject was that the new cemetery had no money to purchase lands. 
But the further and more difiicult problem of establishing this cemetery rested 
entirely upon myself as being its chief promoter. The late Charles Pardee, who 
owned the old burying-ground, was a determined opponent to the establishment 
of an incorporated public cemetery. In order to elucidate his strength of oppo- 
sition, it may be well to give his previous history. 

Charles Pardee had been an active merchant here for many years, until he sold 
his stock of merchandise and his business to Messrs. Isom & Hall, January i, 
1852. After that he gave his attention to various lines of business, and during the 
Civil War he was engaged in manufacturing for about eighteen months, and then 
in various operations from time to time, until he commenced the banking business 
by the establishment of the Lake Bank in 1863. At that time, according to the 
best estimate of his nearest friends, he was worth, over all his liabilities, from 
$300,000 to $350,000, and therefore exerted a powerful influence in this com- 
munity. His opposition to the establishment of an incorporated public cemetery, 
and his determination to prevent its accomplishment, made him a powerful oppo- 
nent. His influence was such as to control a large proportion of the inhabitants 
of this village. About one-half of the first Board of Trustees elected at the public 
meeting held August 27, 1871, were adherents of Mr. Pardee, some acting partly 
and others wholly in his interest. 

The original twelve Trustees elected by ballot, August 27, 1871, at the public 
meeting, were as follows : Edward S. Hoyt, George T. Campbell, Jacob C. DeWitt. 
Joel Thayer, J. Augustus Edwards, E. Norman Leslie, C. W. Allis, Willis Piatt, 
John H. Smith, P. Oscar C. Benson, Charles Pardee, and Harmon B. Benedict. 
Their first meeting was held November 19, 1871. The following Trustees were 
not present : Charles Pardee, C. W. Allis, P. O. C. Benson, and John H. Smith. 
The following officers were then elected by ballot : Joel Thayer, President ; H. B. 
Benedict, Vice-President ; and E. Norman Leslie, Secretary and Treasurer. 

It is impossible to write the history of the establishment of the present cemetery 
without detailing the various phases of obstruction and opposition used by Mr. 
Pardee to prevent the combination of all the village burial-grounds into one 
organization. 

At a meeting of the Trustees of Lake View, held May 18. 1872, the following 
resolutions were unanimously adopted: 

" Resolved, That all the lands now held for sale by any person or persons, ex- 
cept the lands now held by the Society of Friends, and the lands now held by the 
Skancateles Religious Society, within the present cemetery grounds, be purchased 
or acquired by Lake View Cemetery Association. 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. -'61 

" Rcsohcd, That Joel Thayer and E. Norman Leslie be a committee to initiate 
proceedings for the acquisition of such lands." 

As one of the aforesaid committee, I called on Mr. Pardee, who had possession 
of a portion of the old cemetery and who held land therein for sale. The first 
interview was had on Monday, June 3, 1872. In answer to the question as to 
svhat he asked the Association for the lands unsold, he replied that he would not 
charge mucii, and, when pressed for a definite answer, said he would look it over 
and let me know. I then inquired about the lot lying to the north of the cemetery. 
He said he had intended to purchase it, and had so far completed the arrangement 
that the deed had been executed, but that he had not taken it, as he had heard 
that the Association had determined to appropriate it. He said he had agreed to 
give $2,700 for it, and was desirous that the Association should purchase the same 
from Sumner Fuller at that price, and he offered to give the Association $250 
if they would agree to purchase at that sum. I stated to him that the .Association 
would not give half that sum for the whole lot. I also refused to take any money 
on behalf of the Association with any provisos. I then left. 

On Tuesday, June 11, I again called to ascertain on what terms the land in the 
cemetery held for sale could be purchased for. Mr. Pardee said he had come to 
the conclusion not to sell those lands to the Association, unless they would agree 
to purchase the lot to the north from Mr. Fuller on his terms, namely, twenty- 
seven hundred dollars. He also said that, if the Association wanted to force him 
to sell his cemetery lands, he would give the Association all the law they wanted, 
and as long as they wanted law. This was the substance of the conversation. 

.\t the next meeting of the Trustees, held July 13, 1872, a general conversation 
took place in regard to the affairs of the Association. The deterinination of Mr. 
Pardee to retain possession of the old cemetery was talked over, and the members 
present regretted that he should have taken this course. Mr. H. B. Benedict, who 
had had a conversation with Mr. Pardee on the subject, thought that the Associa- 
tion had better not attempt a forcible possession. Mr. Allis was requested to see 
Sumner Fuller, who it was supposed owned the title to the lot on the north side of 
the cemetery, and ascertain whether he would dispose of his title thereto and on 
what terms. Mr. .\llis accepted the proposition, and the meeting then adjourned. 

.-\fter organization, the question of finances came up before the officers of the 
new corporation of Lake View. The only method was to issue certificates of 
indebtedness. These certificates were conditioned to pay one-half of the sales of 
lots, and to pay seven per cent, interest until they were redeemed. They were in 
all respects a first mortgage on the lands to be purchased. Several public-spirited 
gentlemen subscribed two hundred dollars, and some one hundred dollars each, 
but the total of these subscriptions was not sufficient to purchase the lands wiiich 
had been laid out for the new cemetery. These lands belonged to Rciiel Smith, 
Sr., of New York. On application to him for their purchase, he declined to dis- 
pose of them ; but, as I was well acquainted witii him, I persuaded him to submit 
10 an appraisement by disinterested freeholders, to be appointed by the Court, 



262 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

which was accomplished with harmonious and satisfactory results. These lands 
were accordingly surveyed and staked out. The lands comprised from seven to 
eight acres, and were so laid out as to make, including the old cemetery, a parallelo- 
gram. The lands to be purchased were to cost between two and three thousand 
dollars. The greatest obstacle in the disposition of the certificates of indebtedness 
was the determined opposition and influence of C. Pardee, who opposed the pro- 
jected new cemetery. He had been ruler of the village for many years, and he 
determined, if possible, to prevent the success of the new organization. In con- 
sequence of the need of money to pay for the lands, while neither of the Trustees 
offered to advance the necessary funds, I paid $650, which covered the deficiency 
to pay Reuel Smith, Sr., for his lands, .\fter having the lands in possession, the 
next requisite was to fence them. I then purchased on account of Lake View 
Cemetery, from Messrs. Allen & Hoag, between four hundred and five hundred 
dollars' worth of hemlock lumber, but the lumber merchants had no confidence ^n 
the Rural Cemetery Association's ability to pay for the lumber, so they charged 
me with it. I made no objection, and paid the bill. After that all purchases on 
account of the Association, whether of labor or materials, were all charged to me, 
individually, and were promptly paid. 

Air. Pardee, fearing that the Lake Mew Cemetcr}- .\ssocialion would take his 
lands by condemnation proceeding, concluded to and did organize his lands into 
a Rural Cemetery Association, under the corporate name of " Evergreen." Efforts, 
which proved ineffectual, were made in every possible manner to purchase his 
lands ; but he wanted money, and would not accept certificates of indebtedness 
which were payable with seven per cent, interest from one-half the sales of every 
lot sold and paid for. These certificates were as safe as a bond and mortgage. 

As the original subscription list has not been given, this history will not be 
complete without its publication. It was circulated by myself, and without assist- 
ance from any of the Trustees. Only six of the original twelve Trustees sub- 
scribed. It was commenced early in the year 1S7J. 

Sl-b.-^cription I-ist. 

E. Norman Leslie- $200 00 C. C. Wyckoff $100 00 

Forrest G. Weeks 200 00 Thos. Y. Avery 100 00 

Joel Thayer 200 00 .\nson Lapliam 100 00 

Edward S. Hoyt 200 00 William Marvin 100 00 

Thomas Morton 200 00 C. W. Allis 100 00 

P. Oscar C. Benson 100 00 Ehas Thorne 100 00 

William S. Briggs 100 00 Richard Tallcott 100 00 

E, B. Hoyt 100 00 Jacob H. .\llen 100 00 

James A. Root 100 00 H. B. Benedict SO 00 

Julius Earll 100 00 Benoni Lee Legal services 

IL L. Roosevelt 100 00 Wills Clift 50 00 

The total of the above was $-',500. The total subscrijition was .$3,000. Five 
subscriptions of $100 each were never paid. Tlicrc were several of the original 



HISTORy OF SK.lXE.iTlLLIiS. 



263 



Mil)scriLcrs who ditl not pay their subscriptions for from two to six years, cun- 
^o^lllently, when the payment to be made Reuel Smith, Sr., became due (April i, 
1S73), there was a deficiency of monc\ on hand, not only for the lands, but for 

ihcr purposes, amounting to $^J50. This deficiency 1 advanced, and tlie amount 

i le for the lands, $2,150, was paid. 

Mr. Pardee, havingf organized the old burying-ground into a Rural Cemetery 
Association. September 25, 1873, and thus being contiguous to the new cemetery, 
was the cause of continual and determined opposition to the original plan of com- 
Ipiniiig tlio old with tiie new village burial-grounds. Every possible effort w^as 




made by the Trustees of the new cemetery to purchase the lauds held by Mr. 
Pardee for sale, but he would not sell them. 

On the evening of September 26, 1872, the Trustees of the Presbyterian 
Society met at the store of Newcil Turner, by my request, when I suggested to 
ihem the propriety of conveying by quitclaim deed the title to the old burying- 
ground to Lake \'iew Cemetery .Association, inviting their attention to a law 
])assed by the Legislature in 1870, which authorized religious societies holding 
burial-grounds to convey them to rural cemetery associations. Tliis law was 
read to the Trustees, and by a unanimous vote they by resolution directed their 
Treasurer. Newell Turnir. t<> execute a (luitclaim deed (which had been pre- 
viously prepared ) and to affix the corporate seal thereto. The deed was executed 



264 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

the same evening, and it was recorded in tl;e County Clerk's Office on the 28th 
day of September, 1873. 

This old burying-ground, an acre in extent, Mr. Pardee claimed as his own, 
and it composed a large portion of his burial-ground. When he became aware 
of its transfer to Lake View Cemetery Association, he addressed the following 
letter to one of the Trustees of the Presbyterian Society : 

Skaneateles, \. v., June 26, 1875. 
Mr. James A. Root: 

In 1862, yourself, Isoni, Hitchcock, and Augustus Edwards i,'ave me the entire control of 
the ground, originally appropriated for burial purposes, and wliich was placed into the 
hands of the Trustees of the Skaneateles Religious Society, as trustees for the whole com- 
munity, with no authority to make sale even as privately as you pretended to do, and put it 
into the hands of the Episcopal Society. The question is yet to be tested. 
Very respectfully, 

C. Pardee. 

At a meeting held July 28, 1873, on the cemetery lands, the project of opening 
an avenue into the old burial-ground was discussed, and, as some of the Trustees 
were desirous that it should be done, C. W. Allis, who is one of the Trustees of 
the Friends' Burial-Ground, consented that such an avenue should be opened on 
the western part of such burial-ground. As this required some preliminary work, 
Mr. Pardee, suspecting the design, immediately placed a section of iron fence 
across the roadway in such a position as to prevent its use as contemplated, 
although at that time, 1873, the old burial-ground had been deeded to Lake Waw 
Cemetery by the Trustees of the Presbyterian Society, September 26, 1872. 

At the ne.xl meeting of the Trustees of Lake View, held August 21, 1873, the 
following resolution was passed: 

"Resolved, That Jacob C. DeWitt have, and hereby has, such power to nego- 
tiate with Mr. Pardee for the sale of all his interest in the old burial-ground, 
also the lot in front, and that he make the best terms he can for the Association, 
payment to be made in scrip not to exceed two thousand (2,000) dollars." 

At the following meeting of the Trustees, held August 2?^, Jacob C. DeW'ilt 
reported Mr. Pardee's reply to the resolution : 

" Mr. Pardee declines to sell the lots held by him for sale, with this exception : 
he will sell the front lot, and the control of the old burial-ground, for two thousand 
(2,000) dollars, to be made payable at sorne specified future time. That time he 
will leave the Trustees to name." 

This being unsatisfactory to the Trustee.^, it was, on motion, rcsoKi-il that 
Dr. Campbell be associated with J. C. DcW'itt to negotiate further with Mr. 
Pardee, and they were requested to get the proposition in definite shape to be 
presented to the Board of Trustees at a special meeting, if possible, on Thursday. 
at same hour and place. 

During the month of May. 1874. the fence separating the avenue leading to 
the old burial-groiHid from tlK\;i\c-iiue of Lake \'iew was taken down by my 



JUSTORV OF SKANEATELES. .^65 

direction. In a lew days thereafter a section of an iron fence set in stone ba^s 
was placed across the roadway, by direction of Mr. Pardee, to prevent the use of 
the avenue. In addition to this iron fence there were several mounds of apparent 
graves placed in the middle of the road. On August 26, 1874, Mr. Pardee had 
a new board fence erected in place of that which was taken down during the 
previous May. After making every endeavor to purchase Mr. Pardee's lands, 
the committee were requested to call and ascertain from Mr. Pardee on what 
terms he would sell his burying-ground. This effort was made September 6, 
1877. In reply he refused to sell llie lands held by him for sale on any terms. 
Witliout detailing the many obstructions placed by his orders to prevent the 
connection of the new avenues of Lake \'iew with those of his cemetery, it is 
only necessary to mention the principal one, that is, the avenue near the large 
elm-tree which now connects the new cemetery with the old. His se.Kton, 
Charles Read, was directed to use tlie avenue as a potter's field. Eleven burials 
were made in this roadway, only about one foot of earth covering them, except 
one, a woman who had died of ship-fever, and this grave was dug the usual 
depth. Grave mounds were made over each of these graves. Only one of those 
buried there has been removed; the remainder are under that roadway yet. 

After the melancholy and distressful death of Mr. Pardee, in April, 1878, 
the late Joel Thayer and his wife Juliette proposed to purchase all of the late 
Charles Pardee's ownership in the old burial-ground included in the Evergreen 
Cemetery. An act of the Legislature was necessary to authorize one or both of 
the two cemeteries to sell their lands to any person or persons, on condition that 
within one month after receiving a deed therefor the said person or persons 
should deed one or both cemeteries to the corporation of the village of Skan- 
eateles, and by the same act of the Legislature tlie Trustees of the village were 
empowered to receive one or both cemeteries in the same manner as if the village 
had purchased them, and they were to receive them under Chapter 209 of the 
Laws of 1847. ^^^- Thayer purchased the Pardee interest for $800, and the new 
Lake View Cemetery gave him its seven or eight acres, conditioned that he was 
to deed them to the village. Thus the present attractive cemetery became the 
property of the village. Five months after Lake View Cemetery Association 
became vested in possession of the lands of Reuel Smith, Sr., he died, and those 
lands could not have been obtained after jiis death for fifty or more years by the 
[irovisions of his will. Therefore, the present Lake View Cemetery would not 
lie in existence, liolding the eight acres, had it not have been for my efforts and 
persistence in calling a public meeting and carrying out my original design. I 
assumed full charge of all the detail of establishing the cemetery, as the original 
Trustees of the Rural Cemetery Association were in general very apathetic and 
ti'ok little or no interest in the success of the Association. I kept all the accounts 
'y double entry, opened an account with the Bank of Skancatelcs under the name 
f " Lake \'iew," all checks were signed in my handwriting, and all moneys 
were deposited to the credit of that account. In fact, I took chart'i- ^^f •'' • 



266 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



receipt and payment of all moneys, and issued all deeds for sale of all lots. I 
made it my business from the commencement to succeed in establishing the new- 
Incorporated Cemetery Association. It has been accomplished under many diffi- 
culties and determined opposition. 

Continuing the history of the Rural Cemetery Association of Lake View, its 
last meeting was held April 3, 1880, when the following resolution was adopted: 

" Resolved, That the President and Treasurer be, and are hereby, authorized 
to cause the corporate seal to be affixed, and to execute a deed of conveyance, 
covering and including all the lands df the Cemetery Association, incorporated 




under tiie nanu' and st\ 
eatelos, under and by a 

The meeling tlun 
accordance with the nt 



\ieu-.- tn Jncl Thayer, of the village of Skan- 
Lbapur 5_' i.l the Laws of iSSo." 

The detd was executed .\pril 9, 1880. In 
l/hajner 52 of the Laws of 1880. Joel Thayer 



and wife conveyed all the lands he had received by deed from the Rural Cemetery 
Associations, he having previously purchased the Evergreen Cemetery, to the cor- 
poration of " The Trustees of the Village of Skancateles." Thus the cemetery 
became the property of the \illagc of Skaneateks. 

Cemetery Conunissioucrs were first a]i]iointe(l b\- tlie village 'i'rustees. .April 
26, 1880, as authorized bv law. Their first nieetnig was held .Mav 21, 1880, at 



HISTORY OP SKAXCATELES. 267 

which they organized. At the second meeting:, 'icld June 4. 1S80. the following 
notice was ordered publislied in the village papers: 

Notice to Lot Owners i.n the Cemetery. 
.Ml persons claiming to own unoccupied lots or plats in the Ccnicliry, now owned by 
the Trustees of the village, arc rei|uired to present or exhibit deeds or title to the same 
to the Clerk of the village, for the purpose of having the same properly recorded. No inter- 
ments will be allowed on such lots until after they are recorded. 

By Order of the Co.\i.mission-ers. 

The next meeting of the Commission was lield September 6, 1881. Joel 
Thayer having died May 19, 1881, the village Trustees appointed J. C. Willetts 
t.) fill the vacancy occasioned by his death. Willetts proved to be a disturbing 
element, and just the opposite of Joel Thayer. At that meeting Beiioni Lee was 
present as counsel, and he read the statute which authorized the appointment of 
Commissioners, which eliminated the powers of the Commission. It was found 
that their powers were more restricted than had been anticipated, and it was 
suggested that an ordinance be prepared and submitted to the Trustees of the 
village for their approval and action, giving to the Commission such additional 
powers as would enable them to conduct the affairs of the Cemetery in a manner 
creditable to the village. That suggested ordinance was neither prepared nor 
passed by the Trustees of the village, consequently the Commissioners possessed 
no power to sell lots, receive or pay out money, or do anything but lay out and 
beautify the grounds for five years only. The law under which they were 
appointed was Chapter 696 of the Laws of 1871, which defines their duties and 
powers. The village Trustees, when they appointed Commissioners, named as 
such the previous Trustees of the Rural Cemetery .Association, and, as they 
did not know of any change of powers, they continued to sell lots, receive and 
pay out money, just as they thought proper. As soon as I ascertained that they 
possessed no power to receive or pay out money, I offered a resolution as follows : 

"Resolved. That Mr. Wills Clift, one of the Commissioners of Lake \'iew 
< "emetery, acting as Treasurer, who has now a balance of money on hand, which 
I'clongs to the Trustees of the village of Skaneatclcs, be, and is hereby, directed 
to pay the said balance to the Treasurer of the village, and thereafter such money 
will be only subject to the order of the Trustees of the village." 

Commissioner J. C. Willetts objected, saying that, as the Commission had 
been in the habit of receiving and expending all the mnney, there was no reason 
why that course should not be continued. 

The last regular meeting of the Commissioners that I ever attended was 
held November 24, 1885. 

Sk.\ne.\tf.lf.s Lake — .As it .Art-EARF.D whf.x This Part of the Country 

AS Visited nv the Pioneers. — In 1793-94 when the first settlers reached its 

liores, its dense forests reached almost to the water's edge. There were numer- 

■iis points jutting from the shores on cither side covered with trees and under- 



268 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

brush, the most prominent of which was at the terminus of what is now known 
as the Shotwell Brook, which at that time was a very considerable stream of 
water. This point projected far into the lake, and it was from about this locality 
that a sand-bar ran across to near Mile Point, over which a man could wade 
across from shore to shore v.-ith his head above water. All the points before 
mentioned were the terminus of inlets into the lake, all of which carried a much 
greater volume of water than they do now. At that period, while the forests 
were intact, the springs on the hillsides flowed all the year round. The rays 
of the sun had but little effect on the surface beneath, and the snows of winter 
remained on the ground until late in the spring months, the gradual melting of 
which, together with the rains, which were much more abundant than at the 
present time, supplied the springs with water throughout the year, with occasional 
interruptions in the summer months during a dry season. As a result of this 
the level of the surface of the lake was generally very uniform. On occasions 
of a very rainy season the rise would not average over one foot, which gradually 
subsided from the natural flow through the outlet. 

The line of shore at the lower end of the lake ran from about the northern 
boundary of the Lapham place in nearly a semicircle, where James E. Porter now 
resides, or perhaps a little further to the east. The southern terminus of the 
present coffer-dam was the outline of the original shore. Between that and the 
present shore, in the rear of the brick stores, was a swampy flat, interspersed 
with pools of water, and very similar in appearance to the woodland now on the 
direct road to Auburn, beyond the county line. This flat was covered with old 
forest trees, principally elm and red oak, and considerable underbrush. The 
outlet ran through this flat, and was filled with driftwood, the debris which 
had accumulated there from time immemorial. This driftwood formed a bridge 
for the first settlers to cross the outlet. 

It is presumed that the upjicr end of the lake was similar in apj^carance, but 
more rugged. 

The first dam was constructed of logs, and was about upon a line with the 
north end of the present bridge. It did not raise the water more than three or 
four feet, and was constructed by Jesse Kellogg for Judge Sanger about the 
year 1797. Sanger built the first grist-mill, and Jesse Kellogg built the first 
sawmill, which were both supplied with power from this dam. 

The first name given to Mile Point was Barney's Point, named from Bar- 
nabas Hall, who settled on the military lot adjoining. There was very early a 
log house erected on this point by a man named Bebee. After his death his 
widow, called by the boys " Granny Bebee," lived in it for many years. She 
was called a witch, and all the boys and girls were afraid of her. After her 
death a man by the name of McMullen lived in it. His wife, Katy McMullen, 
worked for many people, particularly Zalmon Booth. 

The effect of raising the water in the lake by the dam was to flood not only 
the swampy flat at this end, Init nearly all the picturesque points which were 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



269 



covered witli trees, the stumps of which could be seen for many years thereafter, 
particularly at this end of the lake. Another effect was the continual washing 
away of the shores undermining the roots of the trees, causing driftwood and 
snags in the body of the lake and on its shores. This gradual washing away has 
greatly enlarged the surface from what it was originally. At the present time 
the rise and fall of the water from extreme to extreme is about seven feet, so 
that, when the water is at high-water mark, the whole surface of the lake is full 
seven feet higher than it was when Abraham A. Cuddcback came here in 1794 
and settled on the west shore. 

The first building on the lake-shore in the village was a large traveler's barn 




Mile Point in the distance to the South, on the Host Shore of (he Luke 



l)clonging to Elnathan Andrews, who kept the old tavern. Another one was put 
up by John Legg for a blacksmith's shop on about the present site of Legg Hall. 
\ frame harness-shop followed, by I'hilo Dibl)le. A frame one-story lawyer's 
iiice was then built by Alfred Xortham, which was east of Dibble's shop. 

Aboriginal Name of Skaneaticles Lake. — Skancateles I^ikc was called 

Skahneahties." meaning " Very long lake." The stream which leads from it 

the Seneca River was called " Hanautlee," "Water through thick hemlocks." 

r " Hemlock Creek." A map in the Historical Society Library has it " Skau- 

itcdic Lake." Charlevoix's map gives it "Lac Sceaneatcrcs." The Historical 

-^ oiety Library gives for the outlet, or river. " Hanauto." 



2 70 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

Skaxeateles Lake — A Later Descrittion. — Skaneatcles Lake is the gem 
of all the inland waters of the State of New York. Its waters are as limpid 
as those from the springs on its hillsides. Its velvety sloping shores commence 
at the village, gradually rise and extend to the southernmost end of the lake, 
where the shores become abrupt and almost mountainous, wooded and rocky, 
thus making the landscape wholesome and inviting to the admirer of Nature. 
From the village the eye measures nearly three-quarters of the length of the lake 
to the south, the distant wooded highlands interspersed with cultivated fields, 
these being particularly the feature of the distant view from the village. 

The Glen Haven Water Cure, situated at the extreme southern end of the 
lake, under the overhanging highlands, with its numerous cottages, is the cool 
retreat of numerous guests from the Eastern and Southern States, a resort for 
health, rest, and recreation during the summer season. 

Everywhere the shores and bottom of the lake are of gravel and sand, neither 
bogs nor swamps existing on its shores. The waters of the lake have been 
stocked from the State fish farm at Caledonia with the most approved food fish, 
and at the same time game fish, among which are the California salmon trout, 
the Lake Michigan trout, black bass, and pickerel, not to mention the native perch. 
Brook trout are to be found in the various mountain streams on the hillsides. 
Row and sail boats owned by the proprietors of the Water Cure are always 
available for its guests. Water fowl, such as ducks and wild geese, sometimes 
alight on the lake while on their migrating tour, but the absence of cover of 
marine growth deters them from frequent visitation. 
Skaneateles Lake covers 8,320 acres, and is 

ID feet higher than Otisco Lake. 

122 " " " Keuka Lake. 

172 " " " Canandaigua Lake. 

275 " " " Lake Erie. 

393 " " " Seneca Lake. 

463 " '■ " Erie Canal at Syracuse. 

433 " ■' " Cayuga Lake. 

463 •• •• " Oneida Lake. 

470 " " ■■ CYoss Lake. 

520 " " Onondaga Lake. 

6oy " " '■ Lake Ontario. 

747 " '■ " Lake Champlain. 

860 " " " Ocean level. 

60 feet lower than Cazenovia Lake. 

353 " " " Otsego Lake. 

451 " " " Chautauqua Lake. 

The excellent view of Skaneatcles Lake given on the jjreccding page indi- 
cates the bold highlands on its shores, and the consequent salubrity of its atmos- 
phere and the limpid purity of its deep waters. Glen Haven, the haven of 



//^ 




3 I 



272 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

seekers for health and aquatic pastime, is located a few miles beyond the high- 
land on the right. It attracts numerous visitors from various portions of the 
United States, who are continuous from year to year, and appreciate its attract- 
iveness, in every respect. 

For a full century Skaneateles Lake has e.xerted a direct, potent, and whole- 
some influence upon the growth and prosperity of the town, and especially the 
handsome village that bears its name. Its pure, cold waters, gushing from per- 
petual springs, originally afforded food to the aborigine, and subsequently fur- 
nished the tables of white settlers and visitors. Large numbers of lake trout 
and other varieties of desirable fish have been taken from its depths, its glisten- 
ing surface has borne every variety of craft, and its waters have turned the 
wheels of numerous industries. The beautiful scenery adorning its shores, the 
purity of its atmosphere, the aquatic pleasures on its surface, have spread its 
name far and wide, and attracted hither scores of both permanent and summer 
residents. The name Skaneateles whether of lake or village has become a 
synonym of one of the most attractive and inviting places to locate a home or 
for a summer vacation that is to be found throughout the United States. 

The Pe.\t Bog Speculation. — In the year 1863-64 a valuable bed of peat 
was discovered on the lands of Mrs. Baber, in 28 Swamp, which the late Jessee 
Simmons purchased at a nominal price. Simmons then formed a stock company, 
issuing twelve shares to various parties, among whom were James R. Oilman, 
Alfred Hitchcock, L. H. Earll, and Thomas Isom. Immediately after the 
formation of this company another peat mine was discovered on the Joe Bassett 
farm, which was purchased by the stock company. It consisted of eight acres. 
The company paid for this bog $1,400, and bought it for the purpose of con- 
trolling the peat production. After the stock company had fully developed the 
Baber bog. Oilman declared that the company could declare a dividend of fifteen 
per cent, from the profits of the first season's sales. ' Peat was in demand during 
the winter of 1867, at which time coal was selling here at fifteen dollars a ton. 
Peat was sold at about six dollars a ton. Thomas Isom used it in his store. 
Another stockholder also used it in his dwelling. Various persons purchased 
small quantities to experiment with, and the result was that the whole village 
was perfumed with the delicate aroma of peat during that season. The result 
was a general condemnation of the article for domestic purposes. One of the 
experiences of those who had purchased it was that it took a boy all the day 
long to carry off the ashes, and to supply the peat to the fire. The peat stock 
company expended about $1,300 on the Baber bog, nearly all of which turned out 
to be a dead loss. The survivors of the stock company offered to sell to Joe 
Bassett the eight-acre bog for $350. Bassett accepted the oflfer, but the sale 
was not consummated in 1872, owing to the fact that the survivors of the stock 
company could not deliver a perfect deed, which needed the signature of an un- 
known stockholder. It is now said that the title of these eight acres remains in 
the stock company. 



HISTORY OF SK.IXEATELBS. 



27J 



Anotiikr I'liAT SrECOLATiox. — Thc following statement is based on rumor, 
and its truth is not vouched for: 

'■ Dr. Sumner Rhoades secured a lease from Henry Moses for a small portion 
of his farm at the rate of $300 per annum for five years, with the privilege of 
.removing the soil, earth, stones, etc. This lease was completed without inform- 
ing Moses of its object. Ahcr the papers had all been completed, thc lessee 
then informed Moses that it was peat that he was interested in, and offered Moses 
an interest, which was declined by him, saying that he luid plenty of such l.ind 




IMPROVED STAGE-COACH AND A ROADSIDE TAVERN'. 

ivc an improved stai;e-coach, which came into use after the foiesi had bci-n i 
is patronized by pcmona who could afford a more comfortable conveyance. He 
; an illustration of a roadside tavern, or. as formerly named, an inn. 



■ II. The peat, however, was never developed, but Mr. Rhoades paitl for the 
!sc according to its terms, amounting in all to $1,500." 
Pork Point. — Pork Point, on Skaneatelcs Lake, took its name from the 
pillowing incident: Thc first merchant at IJorodino was Daniel Burroughs, who 
had the reputation of being a great swimmer, and on one occasion, on a wager, 
swam across Skaneatelcs Lake, from Mandana to Pork Point, a distance of three 
miles. It may be mentioned here that Pork Point was .so named from the fact 
that thc first barrel of pork ever bronglit to Borodino was unshipped there. 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

Bonding Skaneateles Defeated. — Early Missions and Religious 
Denominations. 

Defeat of the Attempt to Bond Skaneateles in behalf of a Railro.-\d.^ 
In March, 1872, the citizens of Skaneateles were requested to attend a public 
meeting to discuss their interests in the building of the New York Western 
Midland Railroad, according to the following notice : 

The New York Western Midland Railroad. 

The citizens of the town of Skaneateles are requested to meet a't Legg Hall, at 2 o'clock 
P.M., and at Gamble's Hall, Mottville, at 7 P.M., on Friday, March 8, to discuss our interests 
in the building of The New York Western Midland Railroad, a line connecting with the New 
York and Oswego Midland Railroad, at or near Hancock, Delaware County, running thence 
northwest through the counties of Chenango, Broome, Cortland, Onondaga, Cayuga, and 
Wayne, connecting with the Lake Ontario Shore Railroad at or near Sodus Bay, forming the 
third trunk line from New York to the Great West through the State. Hon. D. C. Littlejohn, 
Hon. Perrin H. McGraw. and other members of the Board of Directors will be present and 
address the meeting. A full attendance is requested. 

Meetings to discuss the same project will be held at Spafford Corners, on Thursday, at 
2 P.M., and at Borodino, at 7 P.M. 

On tjie 1 8th of April, 1872, D. C. Littlejohn made a speech at Legg Hall to 
induce the people of the town of Skaneateles to bond the town for $250,000 in 
aid of this railroad. The scheme of the Board of Directors and the interested 
parties here in Skaneateles was as follows : 

" We propose to build this road from Weedsport, through Brutus, Elliridge, 
Skaneateles, Spaflford, along the east side of Skaneateles Lake, and through Scott 
and Homer, to Cortland, expecting at the latter place to receive coal from the 
Cortland and Ithaca Road, which can be shipped to Weedsport on the canal, 
and at Fair Haven on Lake Ontario. They also expect to have trackage 
from Weedsport to Fair Haven over the Southern Central, and thus connect 
with the Lake Shore Road, which was then being constructed. The distance 
from Homer to Weedsport is thirt> -three miles. These 'gentlemen are assured 
of $50,000 of voluntary subscriptions, $75,000 from Brutus, $125,000 from 
Ell)ridge, $200,000 from Skaneateles, besides five miles of road already con- 
structed, in all $340,000; also $100,000 from Spafford, and would like Homer to 
bond for $100,000. With such amounts they think there would be no mortgage 
on the road, and therefore the towns would own it permanently. On account of 
the difficulty beyond Glen Haven, their Skaneateles friend thinks the Auburn and 
lli)mer Road would cost at least one-third more than the one to Skaneateles and 
Weedsport. .Also that. Auburn being so nuich larger than Homer, a road to 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELIIS. 275 

Auburn would carry business away from Homer, instead of brin^inp; business to 
it, w liereas Skaneateles would not. The Skaneateles friend says : ' We intend to 
build the road, when or how soon depends somewhat upon you and others. We 
are looking to you, and hope to realize from you. Your neglect, however, will 
not necessarily prevent the construction of the road.' Since the letter received 
from Skaneateles was written, a new organization has been perfected, which has 
Hancock on the south, and some place near W'olcott on the north, with its objec- 
tive point on the south connecting with the Midland, and on the north with the 
I Ontario Lake Shore Road, a distance of about one hundred miles." 

Such was the plan of these gentlemen whose interest in and love for Skan- 
eateles was to persuade the people of the town to bond for $250,000. Aftf'r the 
bonding was complete, then these niterested gentlemen would allow Skaneateles 
to look out for itself. Their interest would cease immediately. Hon. D. C. 
Littlejohn addressed the public meeting in such cunning manner, representing, 
among otlier matters, that shippers of produce would be immensely benefited by 
selling such produce directly to the consumers in New York, without the inter- 
vention of middlemen ; in fact, his flowery speech bewildered the audience in such 
maimer that they were ready to bond immediately. The managers, anticipating 
this result, had previously prepared to receive the signatures to the petition. 

Any town desiring to bond in aid of a railroad was obliged by law to procure 
the passage of an act of the Legislature permitting such town to bond and appoint 
■ >mmissioners, with other details. .\ bill, therefore, was drawn for the purpose 
and presented to the Legislature. While this bill was before the Legislature, there 
were many prominent citizens in the town opposed to the bill becoming a law, and 
were more particularly interested in protecting the town from assuming such an 
< normous indebtedness as $250,000, the annual interest on which would have been 
>i 2.000 or $15,000. Prominent among the opposition were William Marvin, 
ML. Roosevelt, F. G. Weeks, C. W. Allis, and myself. As the ])romoters of this 
scheme to persuade the people of this town to bond for this road were more inter- 
rsted in their own profit than in the town, I endeavored to oppose the passage of 
this law through the Legislature by correspondence only, but, having no political 
" pull," it j)assed both the Senate and .Assembly, and was before the Governor 
for his signature. I immediately addressed a protest to the Governor, an<l 
received the follow ing communication from him : 

St.me of New Youk, Executive Ciiamiier. 
Albany, February 16, 1872. 
De.\h Sir: The bill lo cnnblc llit towns of Sk.inc.itclcs and Spaffurd to bond for railroad 
purposes has passed the LcRlslatiirc, and is before mc for signature. 

The Senator and the three members from that county strongly urge its approval. As the 
iciwns can not be bonded under it without the approval of a majority of the taxable property. 
I would like to hear from you further in relation to the subject, if you press your objections. 
You will please answer as soon as possible. Very respectfully, 

John T. Hoffman. 
E. Norm A.N Leslie, Esq., Skaneateles. 



276 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

The bill became a law, and the interested parties were very happy. Tip 
Crosier was thereupon appointed to receive the signatures of the taxpayers of 
both town and village. The statute not only required a majority of the taxpayers, 
but also a majority of the taxable property. While Tip Crosier was procuring 
the signatures, another meeting was held at Legg Hall for the purpose of appoint- 
ing the three commissioners required by law who were to represent the interests of 
the town. That meeting appointed Julius Earll, Benoni Lee, and Sidney Smith. 
These persons did not please certain politicians, who did not like the idea of 
liaving two Democrats and only one Republican, so, when the bonding came to 
be proved before the County Judge, the- political objectors influenced the Judge 
to name C. C. Wyckoff as commissioner in place of Benoni Lee. This political 
move, of course, was successful. 

It was not long before great dissatisfaction Ijegan to be made known by many 
prominent citizens throughout the town, some of whom determined to make an 
examination into the legality of the proceedings. As I, from the commencement 
of the proceedings to bond this town for the large sum of $250,000, knew that the 
taxpayers had been deceived by the promoters of this grand railroad combination, 
my efforts were continued to defeat, if possible, this bonding of the town. There- 
fore I immediately obtained possession of the petition, which had been signed 
apparently by a majority of the taxpayers, and made a very critical examination 
of each name. On comparing them with the town assessment roll, a considerable 
number of the names were not found on the assessment roll, but not enough to 
defeat the bonding. An examination of the town corporations which had signed 
the petition showed that two had not complied with the statute. Corporations 
can not be legally represented on a petition of this character by the mere signature 
of a president, who is merely the presiding officer. Li order to legalize the official 
act of a corporation, there must have been a previous meeting of its board of 
trustees or directors, which by resolution, recorded on its minutes, authorized 
one of its designated officers to sign its corporate name to such a petition. In the 
instance under consideration, no authority was given the president of the corpora- 
tions to sign the corporate name. The fatal defect was that the?e corporations 
had been illegally represented on the petition, and therefore the taxable property 
reiM-esented by them was not sufficient to represent a majority of the taxable 
I)r(iperty of the town. 

Under the provisions of the Railroad Act, Chapter 907 of the Laws of 1869, 
to determine the legality of a petition to the County Judge, the following pro- 
ceedings, copied from that law, are to be observed : 

" It shall be lawful for the County Judge to proceed to take proof concerning 
the allegations of such petition ; and if it shall be proved to his satisfaction that 
all the consents, necessary to be obtained before such bonds could be lawfully 
issued, were so obtained, he shall find the facts and so adjudge and determine, ajid 
such judgment, and the record thereof, shall have the same force and effect as 
other judgments and records in other courts of record in this State." 



HISTORY OF SKANEAJELES. 277 

Up to this time the County Judge had already taken proof concerning the 
allegations of the petition, which had been proved to his satisfaction, that all the 
consents had been obtained, and that the bonds could then be lawfully issued, and 
his judgment in respect thereto had been recorded. Thus far this grand scheme 
was a success. Up to the time that the County Judge had adjudged and deter- 
mined that the consents necessary to be obtained were so obtained, the town of 
Skaneateles was actually bonded for S250.000, and the bonds were to be imme- 
diately issued, and, had it not been for my discovery of the illegal consent of the 
two corporations to the petition, this town of Skaneateles would now have a 
bonded debt of $250,000. At the time of this fatal defect, and of the defection 
of the County Judge, it was fortunate for the town that the limited time for an 
appeal to the General Term of the Supreme Court had not expired. Two of the 
prominent and active opponents of bonding the town. Forest G. Weeks and C. W. 
Allis, under the advice of Attorney Hiscock, of Syracuse, immediately went to 
Rochester and filed an appeal against the judgment of the County Judge. This 
appeal was argued before that court in 1872, and resulted in a judgment declaring 
the illegality of the bonding, and costs were allowed against the town of ninety- 
five dollars. 

Another .Attf..mpt to Bo.nd. — Consequen'ces ov Bondint.. 

One of the active men in favor of bonding the town endeavored to get another 
petition signed to bond a second time for Si50,ixx3, during the months of January, 
February, and March. 1872 : but it was found that the sober second thought of 
the taxable townspeople could not be persuaded to sign such a petition, as their 
previous experience seemed to have awakened them to the enormity of a bonded 
debt of such large proportions. 

There is now a town in Cayuga County which bonded in aid of this New York, 
Ontario, and Western Midland Railroad Company, the same for which this town 
was nearly bonded. This company laid its tracks from the town that bonded to 
.-\uburn, and more than twenty years ago it abandoned and took up its tracks. 
Proceedings were instituted against the railroad to compel it to reopen its road to 
Auburn. The decision in these proceedings was not rendered until 1894, when 
it was given in favor of the railroad company. The referee before whom it was 
referred by the court held that the new organization arising out of the failure 
of ihe old is not obliged to operate the road, any more than any individual w-ould 
be who had got into debt by borrowing money to invest in an enterprise which 
had proved disastrous. The decision was in favor of the company, and the tax- 
payers of the town, and especially those along the old branch road, will continue 
to pay their bonded indebtedness, with no prospect of the reopening of the road, 
which was a great convenience to them and the public as well. 

The wonderful escape of the town of Skaneateles from a bonded debt of 
S2;n.ooo was most extraordinary! 



2 78 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Earlv Missions in this County, and Religious Denominations in 
Skaneateles. 

Record of Early Missionaries. — The records of the General Association 
of Congregational Ministers of Connecticut show that they began to send mis- 
sionaries of their body for a few Sabbaths at a time into the newly settled parts 
of northern New York as early as 1780. In 1783 they took up the subject of 
sending preachers into the new settlements of New York. Two or three years 
later they solicited contributions from the churches of Connecticut for this pur- 
pose, and in 1793 sent out several Congregational pastors to spend four months 
each in itinerant labors in Vermont and New York, namely, Revs. David Hunting- 
ton, Ammi R. Robbins, Samuel J. Mills, Cotton ]\I. Smith, Joseph Vaill, Samuel 
Eells, Theodore Hinsdale, and Moses C. Welch. Which of these labored in the 
newly settled parts of New York is not known. In 1794 some of them were 
sent, and also Revs. Aaron Kinne, Jeremiah Day, Asahel Hooker, Azal Backus, 
Cyprian Strong, and William Lyman. In 1795 others were sent on itinerant 
labors. This plan of sending out as missionaries regular pastors for three or four 
months in a year and supplying their pulpits at home continued until 1798, when 
the " Missionary Society of Connecticut " was formed, and missionaries were 
engaged by the year. Rev. Andrew Judson was then sent to go West, on both 
sides of the Mohawk, through Otsego and Herkimer counties (Herkimer County 
formerly included what is now Onondaga County), so far as there were settle- 
ments proper to be visited. Rev. Am,-;i Lewis was directed to travel through all 
the settlements between Tioga and Onondaga counties. Rev. Seth Williston was 
commissioned to labor four months in Onondaga County in 1798, and then four 
months more in that and adjacent counties. He continued in this work for more 
th;in ten years. For a considerable part of the time lie was located in the town 
of Lisle nine months in each year. The other three months lie traveled over his 
former field, preaching and performing other ministerial duty. With Jiim Rev. 
Jclediah Bushnell and Salmon King labored in the same counties from 1799 to 
1805; Rev. Amasa Jerome, through 1800 and 1801 ; and Rev. David Higgins in 
1801 and 1802. Rev. Calvin Ingalls occupied the same region as a missionary 
from 1804 to 1810, and Rev. John Spencer from 1803 to 1810. It is said in one 
of the old printed documents of the society that one of their missionaries held the 
first regular meeting ever attended at Manlius in 1793, and the next day the first 
ever held at Pompey, ten miles farther south. 

The above record of missionary work in this section of country was furnished 
the author by the Rev. William W. Turner, the present Secretary of the Mission- 
ary Society of Connecticut, located at Hartford. His letter is dated March 28, 
1873, and contains information of great interest as to the early missionary work in 
this part of the State. 

Early religious services were held in the old lavcrn kejit liy Captain W'l-lcJi, in 
the large room in the second story, boards being laid on chairs and bo.xes for 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 279 

scats, and also in the John Briggs tavern, where Frederick Shear now resides. 
Services were also held in barns, whenever a house could not be obtained out in 
the country. It was customary lor all the settlers to attend these services. 
Religious services were held in the ballroom of " The Red House," which was 
built in 1798 and finished in 1799, by traveling missionaries, mostly of the Meth- 
odists, but there were some Baptists. A celebrated Baptist preacher by the name 
of John Leland, of Berkshire, Mass., used to come to " The Red House " and 
preach. He had some relatives about here. He was publicly known as the 
bearer of a monster cheese which was presented to President Jefierson by Berk- 
shire County. 

The Ei>iscoi'.\L Missions. — The first Episcopal services held in Onondaga 
County appear to have taken place at the house of David Hibbard, Pompey, about 
1795. The officiating clergyman was the Rev. Daniel Xash. Nash was the 
original " Mr. Grant," the clergyman m Cooper's novel of " The Pioneers." He 
did not visit this settlement. Subsequently the Rev. Philander Chase, afterward 
the eminent Bishop of Ohio, journeyed in the Onondaga region. The real apostle 
of Onondaga, however, was the Rev. Davenport Phelps. Pie was born in Con- 
necticut in 1775. and was the neplicw of Dr. Eleazar Wheelock, President of Dart- 
mouth College. .After graduating at Yale he engaged for a considerable period 
in secular pursuits, but finally became a convert to the Episcopal Church and 
ultimately took orders. He was the first regularly appointed missionary to 
western New York. He took up his residence at Onondaga Hill, in July, 1804. 
From the year 1806 to 1809 he visited this settlement, and held services in C. J. 
Burnett's house, in Jonathan Booth's store, and in the upper hall of Mr. Vreden- 
burg's house. There were temporary seats arranged for the people, and it was 
customary in those days for all denominations to attend missionary services. 
Rev. Benjamin Onderdonk afterward held services in a yellow building which 
stood on the ground where St. James' Church now is. One-half of this building 
Aas partitioned off for the purpose. The other half was used as a store and 
iir the village post-office. \\. J. Vredenburg, C. J. Burnett, John S. Furman, 
.md Samuel Litherland were lay readers on ordinary occasions. 

.-\mong the members of the church residing here at that time were VV. J- 
Wedenburg, C. J. Burnett, and Jonathan Booth, and their respective families, 
and also John S. Furman and Alexander R. Beebe. 

The yellow building above mentioned was afterward moved to another part 
of the village and fitted for a store, and a man by the name of Ltivcjoy occupied 
it for a short time, and then removed to the western part of the State. 

Religious Denominations. — It has been very difficult to obtain a full and 
complete history of the different religious denominations in this town. Much of 
the following has been copied from D. \V. Mason & Co.'s " History of Onondaga 
County," published some years ago. 

The SciiANEATr.T.ES Religious Societv. — The following is copied from Vol- 
ume -A. page 34, from the Book of Miscellaneous Records in the County Clerk's 
Office : 



28o HISTORY or ' SKAXEATELES. 

" Makcellus. October 29, 1801. — At a meeting of the Schaneateles Religious 
Society holden at the school house, the usual place of meeting for Public Worship, 
for the purpose of establishing a Religious Society, agreeable to law in such cases 
made and provided, for which purpose Ebenezer R. Hawley and Aaron Cook 
was unanimously chosen to superintend the said meeting. 

" Xiiw we, the said Ebenezer R. I[awle>' and Aaron Cook, do liereby certify 




llial the said Society being so meet, did elect and chuse Ebenezer R. Haw ley. 
Joseph Clift, Judah Hopkins, Peter Putnam, and Daniel Cook, to be trustees for 
the said Society, and that the said society should forever after be known and 
distinguished by the name of ' The Schaneateles Religious Society.' " 

CHURCIIE.S. — The first church in the village, named " The Eirst Congregational 
Cluirch of Marcellus." was organized bv the Rev. Aaron Bascom. The Articles 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. --m 

ot Faitli and Covenant were subscribed tn by Joshua Cook, Solomon Edwards, 
Simeon Hosmer, Asa Harwood, Daniel Cook, and Aaron Cook. They were 
incorporated as " The First Church of Christ " in Marcellus, and the same day 
on which the church was organized the following persons were received : James 
Porter, Mary Cook, Elizabeth Edwards, Lucretia Hosmer, Electa Edwards, 
Anna Clark. Hannah Annice, Martha Seymour, and Rebecca Cook. At the same 
time Aaron Cook was elected Clerk of the church. 

The first church edifice was erected in iSoS, and was dedicated March i, 1809, 

The following are the names of the clergymen who have served as pastors 
of this church: Revs. Swift. Benjamin Rice, B. B. Stockton, Alexander Cowan, 
Samuel \\ . Brace. Samuel W. Bush, Selden Haines, William B. Dada, A. Mandel, 
and M. X. Preston. 

In January. 1818, it was unanimously resolved to adopt the Presbyterian 
form of government, and the church was received under the care of the Presby- 
tery of Cayuga. By the new boundaries of presbyteries established by act of 
General Assembly in 1869, this church was separated from Cayuga Presbytery 
and became a part of the Presbytery of Syracuse. 

The Society erected a new brick house of worship in the year 1830. The 
manse was purchased in the year 1832. 

Among the deacons of this church were Eli Clark, Joshua Cook, Samuel 
Bellamy, James Porter, Ebcnezer Warner. ChestLT Moses. Philip Crosby, Foster 
Clark, Henry T. Hooker. W'iiliam Clark, and Sereno Field. 

Three members of this church became missionaries in foreign countries. 

On July 25, 189 1, the corner-stone of the present brick church was laid on the 
site of the old structure. 

Protestant EpisroiwL Church. — The first church families who settled in 
the village and the immediate vicinity were General Robert F.arll in 1796, Jona- 
than I'looth in 1801, and William J. Vredcnburg and Charles J. I^>urnctt in 1803. 
During these later years Rev. Davenport Phelps, a noble missionary of thi- 
Church, visited Hardcnburgh's Corners, near Auburn, and officiated there 
It is believed that he visited Skaneatelcs. The first remembered services were 
held in the house of Charles J. Burnett, in 1803, and in the Red House, the 
residence of General Robert Earll, during the same and the following years. 
Services were also held afterward in a small frame building situated on the 
site of the present church edifice. One-half of this building was used for the 
first post-office, and the other half was occupied and fitted for church purposes. 
Charles J. Burnett, William J. Wcdcnburg, John S. Furman, and Mr. Litherland 
read the services. 

St. Peter's Church, in .\uburn, was organized in 1807, and the Rev. Daven- 
y)ort Phelps became tlie rector. The church building there was consecrated 
August 22, i8t2, by the .saintly Bi.shop Hobart. Mr. Vredcnburg was one of the 
wardens of that church, and Jonathan Booth a vestryman. The church people 
here very generally attended church service in Auburn. Rev. Davenport Phelps 



282 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

while rector of St. Peter's frequently came here and officiated. His first services 
were held in the upper hall of the Vredenburg mansion, seats being arranged 
for the people, who very generally attended the services. Mr. and Mrs. Burnett 
in this house received their first communion from the hands of the Rev. Davenport 
Phelps in 1809. He also baptized their first child. Mr. Vredenburg died in 1813. 

Services were held more or less regularly by lay readers, or an occasional 
missionary visitor, among the latter the Rev. William A. Clarke, who followed 
Mr. Phelps as rector of St. Peter's Church, of Auburn, until the year 1816, when 
the first written record of the life of this parish appears. This is the act of 
incorporation of St. James' Parish, Skaneateles, attested by Mr. John Ten Eyck, 
one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, bearing date January 4, 1816. 
At the same meeting of the incorporators and others the Rev. William A. Clarke 
presided. Jonathan Booth and Charles J. Burnett were elected wardens, and 
Edward G. Ludlow, John W. Livingston, Zalmon Booth, Stephen Horton, John 
Pierson, John How, Samuel Francis, and William Gibbs were chosen vestrymen. 
Rev. William A. Clarke was ordained in 1812. He resigned St. Peter's Church 
in 1814. 

In 1816 an attempt was made to build a church, a conditional subscri])tion 
being raised for the purpose, but as only fifteen hundred of the two thousand 
dollars required was subscribed the en.terprise fell through and the organization 
was abandoned, although lay-reading and occasional visits from clergymen were 
continued with more or less regularity. 

On the 19th day of April, 1824, the parish was reorganized under the same 
name, and the organization was attested by Levi Mason, of the Court of Com- 
mon Pleas, and R. L Hess, Clerk of the same court. At the same time the 
following gentlemen were elected officers of the society : Wardens, Jonathan 
Booth and Charles J. Burnett; Vestrymen, William Gibbs, John Daniels, Stephen 
Horton, John Pierson, Charles Pardee, J. W. Livingston, Samuel Francis, and 
Klijah P. Rust. The meeting for the election of these persons was presided over 
by the Rev. Augustus L. Converse, of whose after history we can learn nothing. 

Another blank follows until the 27th day of March, 1826, when a meeting of 
the congregation was held, at which the Rev. Amos Pardee presided. The same 
vestry was elected, with the exception of John Daniels, who was replaced by 
John Furman. The following year. 1827, the Rev. Amos Pardee was still 
officiating, and the name of James M. Allen appears among the vestrymen. 

Although there is no mention made in the proceedings of either of the last- 
mentioned meetings of the project of building a church, yet we find a paper, 
bearing date August 3. 1827, which is a contract between the wardens and the 
vestrymen of St. James' Church and Enos P. Root, in which Mr. Root agrees 
to build the church and make it ready for occupancy. Of the same date there is 
also a subscription paper, on which is subscribed the sum of $2,595. Messrs. 
Burnett and Gibbs were this year the wardens, and Butler S. Wolcott's name 
ajipcars among the vestrymen. 



HISTORY or SK.-i\EATELnS. 



»83 



In the report of the Rev. Amos I'ardee to the Convention of the Diocese, 
held in Trinity Cliurcli, \'e\v York. October 17. 1827, appears the following: 

" In Skancateles the past year our members liave increased, and our prospects 
are very much improved. A church was commenced in the last summer, and is 
now nearly or quite enclosed." 

On the 25th day of January of the following: >ear. 1828, the Rev. .■\lgernon 
S. Holister was called to officiate as rector for one year from the following 
Easter, and Timotliy Haker and -Augustus Kellogg were elected to the vestry. 
The following from Hishop Hobart's address to the Convention of 1828. held 
in Trinity Church, New York, October 16 and 17, shows at what date St. James* 
Church here was consecrated : 

" On Tuesday, tiie 23d of September. I consecrated the church at Skancateles. 




wlierc a small congregation has for several years been kept togelluT, and at last 
by extraordinary exertions have erected a neat edifice for worship." 

On the 26th of May, 1834, the old parsonage and grounds were purchased 
of Mr. Lucas, and an additional strip of land from Alanson Edwards. Under 
the same date the thanks of the vestry are tendered to the " Circle of Industry " 
for the donation of one hundred dollars toward the purchase of a parsonage. In 
.\ngust, 1845. ''ic necessity for the enlargement of the church was first discussed 
by the vestry, indicating very clearly the growth of the jjarish. The old parson- 
ai,'e was sold in March. 1846. ami with the proceeds, and $100 from Bishop De 
I Micy. $300 from Trinity Corporation. New York, and the pn^ceeds of a sub- 
ription, the building was enlarged and improved in 1847. '" '^53 a 'ot and 
lioiisc adjoining the church were purchased of Mr. Vowles, and in tiic following 
month the house was improved and arranged for a parochial schord. In Feb- 
ruar\. 1854. the Ladies' Society saved the schoolhousc from sale under fore- 



284 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

closure of mortgage by paying through the treasurer, Miss Harriet J. Gibbs, 
the sum of $150, for which the vestry returned a sincere vote of thanks. 

The corner-stone of the present St. James' Church was laid by the Bishop 
iMay 30, 1873, and was consecrated January 6, 1874. 

The following have been rectors of this church : Augustus Converse, Amos 
Pardee, Algernon S. Holister, Joseph T. Clarke, Charles Seymour, Albert C. 
Patterson, Edward Moyses, R. M. Dufi", Thomas Smith, John A. Staunton, 
and C. P. Jennings. 

The following have been among the prominent members, wardens, and vestry- 
men of St. James' Parish : Messrs. Dyer Brainerd, Nash De Cost, J. Gurdon 
Porter, Dr. Evelyn H. Porter, Thomas Yates, L. Bartlett, William M. Beau- 
champ, John Snook, Jr., Nicholas J. Roosevelt, Ramson Crosby, Justin Redfield, 
Daniel T. Moseley, R. I. Baker, E. Norman Leslie, William H. Jewett, Butler 
S. Wolcott, George Francis, John Humphreys, Edward B. Coe, Joseph H. Bur- 
nett, John S. Furman, James M. Allen, James Bench, Nelson Hawley, Robert 
I. Baker, and others, vestrymen, all before 1850. Charles J. Burnett, Nicholas 
J. Roosevelt, Samuel Francis, William M. Beauchamp, William Marvin, E. Reuel 
Smith, and others served as wardens. E. Norman Leslie served as vestryman 
forty years, and as treasurer thirty-nine years, having been elected to both 
positions in the year 1856. The church property was valued at $30,000, and the 
rectory at $4,000. 

Society of Friends. — The west side of the lake was very early settled by 
the members of the Society of Friends, who exerted a wholesome and permanent 
influence upon the subsequent development of the town. Bringing with them 
their quiet, ennobling characteristics, they impressed upon the community a last- 
ing regard for institutions of an elevating nature, and firmly implanted their 
doctrines among the settlements. About 1812 a society was organized in the 
community, among whose members were Joseph and Russell Frost, Abner Law- 
ton (died January 20, 1855), Warren Giles, Silas Gaylord (died January 31, 
1843), and William Willetts. Soon afterward an edifice was erected near the 
Octagon Schoolhouse. In 1828 a division in the Society occurred, the " Hicks- 
ites " retaining the meeting-house, and the " Orthodox " branch moving their 
services to the village, where a meeting-house was built on the farm of Richard 
Talcott, who, with his two sons, Richard and Daniel, were prominent members. 
This building was torn down in 1873 and another erected. Sarah Talcott was 
(he first minister of this Society. The first minister of the Hicksites after the 
separation was Adin Cory. Other prominent Friends were Valentine Willetts, 
Jolin Milton Arnold (who with Mr. Willetts engagetl in the foundry business 
in Skaneateles in 1843), and Liva Peck. 

We lierewith present engravings showing Mrs. Abner Lawton and Mrs. 
Russell Frost in their usual costume, which was typical of the plainness of the 
ajiparel of the Society of Friends forty years ago. Mrs. Lawton died December 
30, 1868. Mrs. Frost died September 6, 1871. 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



:85 



We {rive, page 287, an illustration of Mrs. William R. Taber, who was born 
July 4. 181 1, and is the only member of the Society of Friends in the town of 
Skaneateles who maintains the original simplicity and plainness of dress. 

Ihe First B.M'tist Societv. — The origin of the First Baptist Society in 
the village of Skaneateles is shown in the following record : 

" Skaneateles, June 27th, 1831. — This may certify that on the 27th day 
of June, 1831, at a meeting holden at the old Presbyterian Meeting-Housc, in the 




village of Skaneateles, convened agreeably to previous notice, for three Lord's 
Days, successively, previous to said meeting, according to law. 

" Notice having been given according to law — .\ meeting of those who have 
ordinarily met in the old Presbyterian Mecting-I louse in .Skaneateles and the 
schoolhouse near by, favorable to the Baptist sentiment, was held at the meet- 
ing-house as above, and proceeded to make choice of Mr. Ralph llall as modera- 
tor ; C. M. Fuller, clerk. 

" I. Voted — That it is expedient to form a Baptist Society in this place. 

" 2. Voted— That Ralph Hall and Thomas B. Phelps shall preside at the first 
election of officers. 

"3. Voted — .^mnsa Sessions. AUon \\'it;litinaii. K'.ilph il.-ill. Trimii'i-s 



286 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

" 4. Voted — That tliis Society shall be known by the name of ' The Baptist 
Society in the Village of Skaneatelcs.' 

" 5. Voted — That our annual nieetmg be held on the fourth Monday in June 
annually. Ralph Hall, Moderator." 

Sej)tember 26, 1831, David Hall and Lucena his wife conveyed by deed to 
the Trustees of the Baptist Society the old Presbyterian church and land, con- 
sisting of two acres. 

On the 9th day of October, 1841, the Baptist Society purchased, from John 
Snook and Mary his wife, Noah Feck and Electa his wife, James Hall and 
Persis his wife, and Nathaniel Taylor and Electa his wife, the lands on which 
the present church edifice is built. 

October 23, 1841, an order from the Court of Chancery was obtained by 
the Society, giving them permis.sion to take down the old meeting-house and 
to convert the materials as far as possible toward erecting a new edifice, and 
to sell the land on which the old building was situated, and to use the proceeds 
toward paying the expenses of the new church. 

Methodist Episcopal Church. — For several years previous to 1832-33, 
the circuit preachers of the Methodist Episcopal Church held religious services 
in a schoolhouse located nearly opposite the former parsonage on West Genesee 
Street. A class was early formed, which was largely increased in 1832-33 
through the means of a revival conducted by " Father Bibbins." Following 
this revival was a movement for the building of a chapel to better accommodate 
the needs of the growing society, which resulted in the purchase of a lot on 
the south side of West Genesee Street, and the erection of a building thereon 
in 1S34, under the pastorate of Rev. Lyman R. Redington. In 1853 this chapel 
was enlarged and beautified at a cost of about eight hundred dollars. At the 
completion of these repairs the expense was all provided for with the exception 
of seventy-five dollars. To meet this indebtedness the society resolved to hold 
a reopening service, at which an effort would be made to liquidate the debt. 
Rev. C. P. Bragdon was secured to manage the financial part. Rev. C. D. 
P.urritt, a former pastor, preached morning and evening, and Rev. Mr. Dcnison, 
jiaslor of the Baptist church of the village, in the afternoon. Through their 
united efforts the necessary amount was raised. The society was well accom- 
modated in this chapel until 1859, when David Hall, Esq., built at his own 
expense a plain brick church on Jordan Street, at a cost of about $5,000, and 
I)resented it to the society. The trustees to wdiom this conveyance was made 
were Richard Huxtable, David Hall, John Burridge, Lorenzo Driggs, Jacob 
Iloagland, Forest G. Weeks, and Spencer A. Daniels. In 1868 the church 
edifice was enlarged, remodeled, and refurnished at a cost of about $9,000. 
Rev. William C. Steele delivered the address at the laying of the corner-stone 
of the first brick church, and Bishop E. S. Janes delivered the dedicatory 
sermon. At the rededication of the church after its enlargement, Dr. Jesse L. 
Peck, now Bishop, delivered the dedicatory sermon. 



HISTORV OF SKAMIATELES. 



.87 



Tlic follow insj-naincd pastors have served the church here: " latlier Bib- 
bins, Lyman R. He(lin,irt'>'i. Jesse L. I'cck, Selah Stocking. I. Hutchinson. Joseph 
Cress. C. \V. Harris. W m'. Corvoll. Tohn i:. K,.bie, ^^■alt^r Hare, Thomas H. 




WILLIAM R. TAHKR. 



^ poKc jUj.I 



IVarne, Isaac I'arks, John H. Mitchell. Charles I). lUirrilt. James Hartwell. 
William N. Cobb. ( ). Hesler. S. H. r.rown. K. \. Ciiyken.lall. \V. H. Miller, 

Isaac Fo-ii.r. William Searles. Willi."n \ l:„rr Willi.m. Il.vl.v \1 '^ W .ll. 



288 . HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

T. J. Bissell, William Reddy, R. Redhead, and G. S. White. Present member- 
ship, 170. Number of Sunday-school scholars, 170. Ministerial support, 
$1,104. Benevolent collections for the year, $400. 

The Skaneateles Falls IMethodist Ei'iscopal Church. — The first meet- 
ings of the Skaneateles Falls Methodist Episcopal Church were held in the 
house of M. B. Banister, class leader, late in 1867 or early in 1868. Rev. D. 
W. Beadle, then supplying the Methodist Episcopal Church at Elbridge, delivered 
the first sermon. He was soon followed by Rev. T. J. Bissell, pastor of the 
church at Skaneateles Village. In 1873-74 the schoolhouse was occupied for 
religious services, and from 1875 to 1877 inclusive a room in the brick block 
provided by Thomas Martin. A legal organization was effected November 12, 
1877, A. G. Borden and H. C. Templar being presiding officers, and George 
Attyee, Joseph Hunt, Levi Starr, Marquis Giles, and H. G. Borden being 
elected trustees. A very creditable church building, 24 by 40 feet, with base- 
ment, has been erected at an expense of $1,500, chiefly through the aid and 
enterprise of F. G. Weeks, of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Skaneateles. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church ov Mottville. — The Methodist Epis- 
copal Church at Mottville is comparatively young as a distinct society, though 
the place has been a Methodist appointment with more or less regularity for 
about twenty-five years. Meetings were held in private houses or the school- 
houses until 1873, when, under the supervision of Rev. William Reddy, D.D., 
pastor of the church at Skaneateles, the old schoolhouse was purchased, moved 
to its present site, and fitted up for church purposes, at a cost of about $1,000. 
The dedication occurred January 24, 1873. Among the original members were 
O. Coleman, Chester Benton, Mrs. Catharine Biodgett, Mrs. Marie Hunsicker, 
William Barber, Mrs. Esther Young, and Mrs. Charlotte Bradley. 

Congregational Society. — In April, 1841, a Congregational Society was 
organized in pursuance of a call issued by Chester Moses and Thaddeus Edwards, 
and for several years occupied the Congregational (subsequently the Lyceum) 
Hall. It finally became extinct. 

Roman Catholic Church. — .\bout 1845 the Roman Catholics began to 
he lid services in the village, and in May, 1853, ^ church edifice was commenced. 
It was dedicated September 7, 1856, and cost $2,500. Rev. William McCallion 
was pastor until his death in 1864. Rev. F. J. Purcell, the present pastor, 
assumed charge in June, 1865. Their church was destroyed by fire Alay 23, 
1866, and on June 30, 1867, another edifice, costing $11,000, was constructed of 
brick. This Society is known as St. Mary's of th.e Lake, and connected with 
it is St. Bridget's Chapel, at Skaneateles Falls, which was organized and built 
by Father Purcell, cost $5,000, and was dedicated September 20. 1874. St. 
Mary's Temperance Society, founded by Father Purcell January 7, 1869, has 
continuously exerted a practical and useful influence along the temperance lines, 
and is one of the few organizations of its kind which hnve maintained an un- 
interrupted existence. 



HISTORV OF SKANEATELES. 289 



CHAPTER XX. 
Yachting, Sketches, and Official Histukv. 

The First Real Yacht Built. — A former merchant of the city of Xew 
York and one of the early settlers in this village was William J. Vredenburg, 
who became a resident in the year 1803. He selected for the erection of a 
dwelling-house a prominence at the eastern boundary of the village, which over- 
looked the whole expanse of the lake. At that period there were no trees on the 
lake-shore to intercept the view of the whole lake and its surrounding shores, 
and the intermediate lands were then under cultivation for farm products. The 
dwelling he erected was a most magnificent structure, exceeding any private 
residence within many hundred miles from this portion of the State. It was 
commenced in 1804 and completed in 1806. 

On the following page is given an illustration of the original Colonial mansion 
of Colonel William J. Vredenburg, which was erected in the years 1804-6. It 
'Aas afterward known as the Daniel Kellogg house, and subsequently as the 
Lorge F. Leitch house. It was destroyed by fire in 1872. 

After locating his family in his new home, he considered the subject of having 
a pleasure-boat constructed for his own and his visitors' use, for he had numer- 
ous acquaintances from the city who were traveling through the State, Skan- 
cateles being located on the great route traveled by the mail-stages. For several 
years after 1806 he often thought of the idea of constructing a pleasure-boat to 
be built on the most approval model, as there never had been any sailing craft 
on the lake except of the most crude description. It was not until the year 181 1 
that he fully determined to carry out his premeditated design of having a pleasure- 
boat constructed on the shore of the lake near his residence. .\t that time there 
were no skilled workmen nearer than the city of New York. He must neces- 
sarily procure an efficient ship-carpenter from the city of Now York, but, as 
preliminary to engaging such needed professional authority, he anticipated the 
necessity of procuring suitable timber and lumber for construction. Conse- 
quently, during the winter "f 1811-12, he procured the selection of the necessary 
kinds of suitable timber from the surrounding forest, not only in quality, but 
in shape of limb and body, for the construction of the various shapes of the 
frame of the boat, and giving some time for it to season before commencing 
work. All this material was transported to the lake-shore where the boat was 
to be constructed. 

It was not until rather late in the spring of 181.' that he had completed his 
arrangements to go to New York to procure an efficient ship-carpenter who was 



290 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

not only a good workman, but a practical modeler, and with the knowledge of 
planning out the necessary sails and spars ; in fact, the man he needed must be 
an adept in all that concerns the full construction and fitting out of the con- 
templated boat in all its details. Mr. A'redenhurg must necessarily make the 




3&.*- 



VKKDKN'RL'KC COLONIAI- MANSION, 1804-73. (See page sSq.t 



journey lu New \'ork in his own carriage and with liis best team dt horses, 
intending to leave abtuU the isl of June, as the roads previously to that date had 
not become .sufficiently dry, dwing tn a late spring. The weather on the ist of 
Jinie was storiny, consequently he commenced his tedious journey toward Albany 
on Tuesday, Jime 2, 1812. It is not necessary to detail this journey, principally 
through the forest, but after many inconveniences and interruptions he arrived 



fflSTORY OF SKANEATELES. 29' 

ill Albany, and. placiii:; liis carriage and horses in safe cliargf, he embarked in 
a sloop to go to New York by water route, instead of journeying in his carriage. 
Arriving in New York, he at once commenced his search, first by inter- 
viewing his former friends and associates as to the proper course to be pursued 
to obtain an experienced ship-carpenter. Although he was referred to a num- 
ber of such professional workmen, lie encountered much difficulty in obtaining 
one. as tlie principal objection was the leaving the city to go over three hundred 
miles in tlie interior of the State, and the disadvantages arising therefrom; but 
finally he secured exactly the man he wanted, who singularly bore his name — 
Vredenburg ! A formal contract was executed, and, without detailing the return 
jouniey to Skaneateles, and other arrangements for the transportation of the 
necessary tools, implements, and materials, the latter needed in the course of 
construction of the yacht or boat (as the word "yacht " was not known in those 
times), in due time Skaneateles was reached, and the work immediately com- 
menced to build the boat. All the local house-carpenters, especially those accus- 
tomed to hewing out timber for framing houses, were engaged. These were 
employed to properly dress the timber which was at hand. The New York 
expert executed a full plan and design for the new boat, and made patterns for 
shaping each timber of the frame, with which the local workmen were to be 
guided. After all these timbers had been completed, the frame was set up and 
properly braced, and secured for the next operation of planking. Owing to 
the thickness of the outside planking, and the necessity of having them thoroughly 
steamed to make them more pliable and therefore easily bent to shape of frame, 
the expert carpenter constructed a steaming apparatus, using a potash kettle to 
generate the steam. The work of construction went on during the summer and 
fall and a portion of the winter, of course slowly amid the many difficulties 
attendant on such an enterprise, and until the death of William J- Vredenburg. 
which occurred May 9, 1813, in consequence of which all further work was 
abandoned. A temporary shed was erected over the incomplete structure. It 
remained on the lake-shore for a few^ years, and finally the executor of Mr. 
Vredenburg's estate, the late Charles J. Burnett, Sr., disposed of the unfinished 
boat to some local parties who had been much interested in the enterprise, for 
a mere nominal sum of money. They had the boat, which had been nearly 
fully planked, drawn on sledges over the ice in the winter time. It was so 
removed to the lake-shore about where Legg Hall now stands, for the con- 
venience of better access for calking, painting, and rigging. The boat was 
finally fully completed m the year 1816. Its dimensions were about forty or 
forty-two feet in length, ten feet beam, and it was rigged as a sloop with main- 
sail and jib. Little is known of the after-life of this pleasure-boat, but it was 
often used as an excursion-boat for pleasure parties, consisting mostly of farmers 
and their families. The only recorded drowning of a well-known citizen was 
that of a farmer named Chester Tolles, who, while sailing on this Ixiat. was 
knocked overboard bv the main boom and drowned in the ve.ir 1817. Tolirs 



292 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

at that time owned and worked the farm occupied in recent years by Thomas 
Bradford, on the east side of the lake, about three miles from the village. — 
Historical Collections of E. N. Leslie. 

Additional Items on Colonel Ykedenburg. — A correspondent under the 
initials " E. R. S." thus discourses entertainingly on the article given above : 

" In looking over the article on ' The First Real Yacht Built,' drawn from 
E. N. Leslie's historical collections and published in the Skaneateles Democrat 
of September 2, I am reminded of a few items not therein mentioned, but 
which may be of interest to your readers. The first of these is that, to assist 
at the ' raising ' of the Vredenlnirg mansion, the Chief of the Onondagas came 




ATT A— THE START, 1850. (Sec page 



cii from the reservation with a hand of Indians, who for several weeks were 
encamijcd upon tlie grounds. 'J'his was not only a recognition of the greatness 
of the undertaking, but a mark of special friendship for Colonel Vredenburg, 
who had much influence with the Indians, and was known to them by the name 
of Gan-ha Gan-ge Gu-ahna, which is interpreted to mean ' The Great Clear Sky.' 
" The second item is the name of the boat which your correspondent has 
failed to give. The ' first \ acht ' to grace the waters of Skaneateles Lake was 
' The Foin- Sisters.' thus designated in honor of Colonel Vredenburg's daughters, 
Maria, Eliza, Cornelia, and Evelina. Maria was married to Charles J- Burnett. 
Sr., who established on the outlet of C)tisco Lake a milling station, which he 
called in honor of his wife ' Marietta.' Eliza became the wife of Hon James 
Porter, of Skaneateles. Cornelia married \\'altcr Weed, Sr.. of .\uburn, who 
built the first flouring-mills at what is now known as \Vecdsi)ort. Evelina mar- 



HISTORY OF SK.IXEATELES. 



29i 



riod Governor Enos T. Tliroop, of Auburn, in lienor of wlioni Tliroopsville is 
named."' 

Regattas Firrv Years Acq. — Who has forsottcn the fast sailboats that 
were carted from C.iyuga and Seneca lakes to capture the silver cups and other 
prizes offered by the sporting citizens of Skaneatelcs? Our own craft, well 
known at that time, were the Island Queen, the Ashland, and the Blue Bell, 
built by Captain Charles F. Hall, near the bridge, and Dr. Lord's Sea Gull, 
Roosevelt's Julia, and E. Potter's Gilt. They are all boats of the past, and few 
are left to remember those days. There may be a few who remember Ed 
Potter and some of his old bachelor parties out at the farm home, and who got 




SKANEATEI.ES REGATTA-THE START, 1P51. (.Sec puKc 



a headache there like some others, fifty years ago. This was when Peter \\ iiii- 
tlesey lived in the De Zeng house. 

It was just alx)ut that time that a few friends took Captain Dc Cost to the 
town fair, in the village, on a stone-boat, sitting on a chair, but paralyzed on one 
side and unable to walk. Those were happy days. It is a pleasure to remem- 
ber them. 

On the preceding page is given an illustration of the Start of the Skaneatelcs 
Regatta in 1850. made from a sketch drawn by Rev. William M. Bcauchamp 
from a daguerreotype taken by Jonathan Edwards. On the right hand arc tiirec 
boats from other waters. The nearest, the Dart, is from Owasco Lake, and 
those next to the Dart, the Ashland and the Island Queen, are from Cayuga L;ike. 
All the others are Skaneatelcs boats. Up to the year i88j all but one of the 
boats of this sketch had disapi)eared. This sketch represents the start from 



294 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

the pier of the steamboat Homer. One minute was allowed for every foot of 
length. 

On page 293 is presented an illustration of the Start of the Skaneateles 
Regatta in 1851, made from a sketch enlarged from a daguerreotype which was 
taken by J. Secomb. There was but little wmd. Our boat, the Isabella (shown 
behind the little schooner), was at one time a mile ahead of all the boats, but 
became becalmed and was passed by four boats. Notwithstanding we got the 
third prize. The Ashland and Island Queen were again present and took the 
leading prizes. 

A Notable Yacht. — One of the most notable yachts ever ])laced on the lake 
was the Wild Wave, which was brought from New York in the year 1863. It 
was built at Keyport, N. J., about 1S54, for a club in New York, and was con- 
structed of the best materials in every respect. The hull was of white cedar, and 
all the metal work was of brass and copper. The mast was hollow, it having 
been bored out. It had two suits of sails, one of which was jib and mainsail, 
and the other a cat-rig. Her length was thirty feet, beam eight feet, center- 
board. This yacht proved to be the fastest boat on the lake, especially in the 
heaviest south winds. She had the best model of any craft ever placed on the 
lake. In all contests with other yachts the owner of the ^^'ild Wave always 
was the sailing-master. 

Years Ago. — The following highly polished descriptive communication was 
published in the Skaneateles Columbian, April 14, 1842, signed " Secretary of 
the Navy," which was written by the late Dr. II. R. Lord of this village. It is 
now republished for the edification of the degenerate officers of the present 
naval fleet on the lake. 

"Pleasure-Sailboat. — The beautiful yacht Onkahyc, Jr.. is the facsimile of Air. 
Stephens' yacht of New York, which is 250 tons, with an iron keel of ..(.o tons, 
The tonnage and iron keel leverage of our boat are about in exact proportion to 
thai whicl; is said to be the fastest sailer ever floated, sailing twice as fast as 
any other craft. The Onkahye, Jr., is fitted out right. In the first place, she can 
not upset; for, if knocked down by a squall, her keel, being iron and weighing 
nearly 600 pounds, with such a leverage will right her again (if I may so say) 
before she gets down. If she drinks in two-thirds full of water, which is all 
she can ship, she has air-boxes, scats, and pipes sufficient to float 1,200 pounds — 
twice the weight of her keel — hence she can not sink. To prevent shipping 
water, she has a board twelve inches wide that fits either side, and hooks on 
solid, to keep the water from dashing in ; and when on the lee side, no land 
lubber whatever (as the sailor would say) could ship water in our hardest blows 
and squalls. She has been tried. The model of the Onkahye, Jr., is also not 
unlike that of Mr. Stephens' yacht — entirely new — combining more buoyancy 
with sharpness than any other craft I ever saw. It has a tendency to make her 
sail well in a heavy sea, and, so far as I can judge, a most capital sea-boat she 
is, and the fastest sailer that ever floated of her inches. I mean in a full-sail 



HISTORY OP SKAXEATELES. 



!95 



breeze ; and ilicre i> nothing that wears rags can catcli her, fur slie will carry 
twice the amount of canvas that any other boat can of the same tonnage, unless 
got up in the same way. 

"Mr. Stephens has said his boat was dry. It can not be (not wishing to 
doubt the gentleman's word, however). Our little craft is the reverse; for, 
see her in a gale, the wind howling over her windward bow, every timber 
squeaking, her windward rigging stretched not unlike the sinews of the strong 
man and singing like the Aeolian harp, dashing forward, not stopping to play 




with a surge, but cleaving it down, and in her mad career leveling all before her, 
her heavy keel hugging her to almost a straight line, bellowing, reeling, and 
throwing the boiling surge into a white foam, saying, ' Clear the track ! Gaff- 
ney's coming!' She, however, rides a sea beautifully, in a conmion full-sail 
breeze, making no fuss, and playing over it like a duck. In fine, she was got up 
for those to sail in who are afraid of getting drowned, particularly the ladies. 
Any one is safe in her as he would be by his own tireside. It will be recol- 
lected that this is the best boat that the Messrs. Roosevelt brought up from 
New York last summer, and soUl to a company in this place. Ilcr amount of 



2 96 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

canvas has been increased this spring, she now having more sail than ever she 
had, but not nearer her decks. I have said that she is as handsome a model as 
ever I saw ; but I think she might be improved on as to her sailing, though, for 
a pleasure-boat on our lake, buoyancy, and safety, she can not be bettered. 

" Now, then, I want all, far and near, from the Atlantic cities, New York, 
Philadelphia, Boston, etc., to come and see our beautiful village, the healthful- 
ness of our climate, the fine, sparkling lake, as pure as spring water, and the 
hills from all sides gently sloping into clear, sandy shores for six miles up from 
the outlet. Here commences a railroad, running north and intersecting the 
Auburn and Syracuse Road. The romantic scenery as you pass up the lake is 
not to be surpassed in any part of the world, having very much the appearance 
of the Highlands on the Hudson. The lake is sixteen miles long and about 
one mile wide, some places two, running north and south. As you pass along 
up the lake, on each side, about midway, you come in sight of a natural embank- 
ment or offset, having the appearance of an artificial breastwork or fortification. 
.\ long distance on the west side our boats may approach these ledges with 
great depth of water, the trees hanging over our heads, protecting us from the 
rays of the sun, and in many instances from the heavy showers of rain; below, 
some five or ten feet of water, clear as crystal, and fish playing about in ever)' 
direction. These hills or oft'sets are composed of silex, slate, pudding and green 
stone, and some specimens of gypsum. About half a mile up the New Hope 
Creek is a perpendicular fall of eighty feet. This is well worth visiting, espe- 
cially from the lake up. As you pass up still further, the bluffs rise abruptly 
into mountainous hills. On the east side, about mi(hva\- u]), there are many 
valuable roots and herbs not to be found elsewhere in this State. Often the 
land on each side abounds with all kinds of fruit congenial to the climate, espe- 
cially berries. On and about the lake arc all kinds of game, fishing, etc. 

SECr<ET.^RY OF THE N.WY." 

CiiAKLES L. Elliott. — The following is a summary of a paper read by 
John D. Barrow before the Onondaga CouiUy Historical .Society, in the month 
of February, 1897: 

"Charles Loring Elliott" was the subject on which John Barrow, of Skan- 
eateles, read an interesting paper before the Onondaga County Historical Society. 
A large and appreciative audience was present, and listened attentively to the 
biography of the most famous artist Onondaga County has ever produced. 

Mr. Barrow is not only familiar with the early hiotory of Syracuse, but was 
also well acquainted with lilliott during the latter's life. Both were artists, 
and frequently had work in common. They were closely associated from the 
time Elliott began his career in a humble fashion in Syracuse until he became 
one of the most famous portrait-painters of the country, .\fter the paper had 
been read additional information on Elliott's life was given by Mrs. Charles 
Elliott Fitch, of Rochester, anxl by Rev. W. M. Beauchamp. 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. .'97 

Tlie speaker gave an outline history ot Elliott's life, in which he said that 
the artist was born in Genoa. Cayuga County, in i8iJ. His early days were 
spent in Auburn, but he soon removed to Syracuse, where he received his 
education and early training. In 1834, when Elliott was twenty years of age, 
Richard Tallcot, a prominent Quaker merchant of Skaneateles, wanted a paint- 
ing of his son. At that time Elliott was a struggling young artist in Syracuse, 
but he had already begun to acquire a reputation as a portrait-painter, and was 
recommended to Tallcot as an artist capable in every way of painting the desired 
portrait. The young artist was immediately summoned, and he transferred his 
work from Syracuse to Skaneateles. 

At that time Skaneateles was in an isolated and undeveloped condition. 
There were no plank sidewalks in the place, and railroads had not as yet reached 
as far West. A stage line was the only way of getting to or hearing from the 
outside world. Elliott finished the painting, and it created such a favorable 
impression that the merchant engaged him to paint one of himself, his wife, 
and two daughters. The first painting is still in Skaneateles, but it is not 
regarded as a work of more than ordinary ability. Meanwhile Elliott did not 
confine his work to portraits, but branched out into other attempts, the " Burn- 
ing of Moscow " being among the first. He was never blind to the chaniis 
of landscape, and in the Skaneateles Library there is a painting of the head of 
Skaneateles Lake which possesses great merit and beauty. He then went to 
New York, where he became a student in the Academy of Design. 

" .-\s fit for a painter," continued .Mr. Barrow, " he had great love for out- 
door life. He enjoyed sailing on the lake, camping on its shores, and roaming 
the fields and woods. Besides, it is said that he was an ardent angler and a 
lover of all quieter sports and pastimes. There are many traditions of his 
expeditions with the Skaneateles band to neighboring villages, and of fishinR 
excursions to Coldbrook, remarkable in fun and incident but not in results. 
It may not be clear to us now just what the community thought of Elliott, and 
how they esteemed his art and purpose. He was a new character and experience 
to them which they could hardly comprehend. .Art was a stranger there, and 
It was generally regarded as a non-paying freak, while some looked ujion it as 
an unmanly pursuit at best and a way for shirking lalx^r and getting an easy 
living by wits and not by work. Others, however, knew better, but they were few. 

'■ Like most of his assoctales, Ellii-tt took a warm interest in the p<ilitics of 
the day. He was an ardent Whig, and a strong admirer of Henry Clay. He 
showed a healthy and deep love for culture, was well read in Shakespeare, and 
was enthusiastic for Scott and (^yron, then in the zenith of their fame. He also 
loved our .American authors, and was a close student of Irving and Co<iper. 
Altliough never a really great student of books, he was familiar with what was 
best in English literature and knew clearly its beauty. It was through his 
appreciation of literature that l.e became the intimate patron of the highest 
literary society in New York. .\t the same time ho was an ardent admirer of 



298 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

music, but the book of Nature was his chief study, and to him this was so full, 
so engrossing, and so wonderful that he read it before all others. 

" However, among his brigfit days there were many dark ones. He had 
discouragements and obstacles to overcome, and fame seemed slow. He had 
only occasional work, and that was not very remunerative, so that he was 
nearly always in arrears. Later in New York, when he began to acquire a 
reputation, portraits were more rapidly called for, and the prices were pro- 
portionately larger. 

" It may now be asked. Did the people of Skaneateles have any idea of the 
great artist they had among them? Were they always satisfied with his work, 
and were they proud to possess it? It may be of interest to know what he 
earned during the four years he spent in Skaneateles. A computation of his 
pictures and the prices paid for them shows that he could not have realized more 
than three hundred dollars per year. Elliott has nov/ been dead twentv-eight 
years, but his fame still stands as a pillar of American art, and his skill has 
been acknowledged and honored by the whole v/orld of artists." 

Since John D. Barrow delivered his excellent paper before the Onondaga 
Historical Society on Charles L. Elliott when a resident of Skaneateles, much 
interest has been manifested in regard to the portraits of Skaneateles people 
painted by this famous artist. As near as can be ascertained, portraits were 
painted of the following persons : Mr. and Mrs. Richard Tallcot, a son, and two 
daughters, who afterward became Mrs. Morgan and Mrs. Shotwell ; Judge and 
Mrs. Freeborn G. Jewett, Mr. Warner, William H. Jewett, William Gibbs, Mr. 
and Mrs. Spencer Hannum, Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Dodge, Captain and Mrs. 
James Hall, Henry Allen, wife, and two daughters, Gurdon Porter and wife, 
Frederick V. D. Horton, Miss Mary J. Horton, Samuel Rhoades, Henry Austin, 
Warren Hecox, Dorastus Kellogg, Charles Pardee, Hosmer Newton, William 
V. Porter, George F. Leitch and wife, Samuel Francis, David Hall, ist, Daniel 
W. Hall, and Mr. and Mrs. Isaac W. Perry, son, and daughter. There were 
portraits of Dr. Evelyn H. Porter and Augustus Kellogg burned with Elliott's 
studio, and possibly some others. Elliott afterward painted portraits of the 
following Skaneateles people in New York: Captain Nash De Cost. Mrs. !•:. N. 
Leslie, David Kellogg, and Mrs. Samuel Roosevelt. He painted while in Skan- 
eateles a copy of Spencer's portrait of Daniel Kellogg for the Bank of Auburn. 
These portraits are far more valuable to-day than when they were painted. 
Elliott also painted, while in Auburn, N. Y., about 1841, a full-length portrait 
of William H. Seward. 

Skaneateles Sketches. — The following sketches of the town of Skan- 
eateles were published in the Syracuse Slandard in 1865, and their interesting 
nature merits the attention of our readers: 

Situation. — This town is the youngest female member of the Onondaga tribe, 
a half-breed by blood, her maternal ancestor being Marcellus, and the date of 
birth being February 26, 1830. Her name in the Indian dialect means Beauti- 



HISTORY OF SKAMIATELES. 



299 



ful Squaw, and, whether applied to tlie town or lake, in wIwim ih.h. ■! ^l.c was 
named, is very appropriate. This town lies in the soulhwest quarter of the 
county, next to Cayusra, and comprises forty of the lots of the old t<jwnship Mar- 
celius, or 24,000 acres, and had a population in 1865 of 4,128. The surface is 
generally rolling, and in some parts could properly be called hilly. The lake 
divides the south half into two portions, from the banks of which the land upon 
both sides rises gradually and beautifully to some considerable height : in the 




northeast quarter the descent of the land is in some instances quite abrupt, 
and, particularly where the range of limestone crops out. is precipitous, though 
not very high. The outlet flows north from the lake to the northwest corner 
of the town, and has a fall of some 250 feet in about five miles. There are no 
other streams in town of any importance. 

Geology. — In the northern portion of the town is the IleMcrberg range of 
limestones, which occupy a space from a quarter of a mile to two and a half or 
three miles in width. The outcrop is usually precipitous, so much so generally 
as to unfit the surface for general cultivation. In some places it is covered 



300 . IIISTORV Of SKJXEATELES. 

with drift, and in quantities sutficient to hide all trace of the prevailing rock. 
So little surface of the rock is exposed in a horizontal position that the agricul- 
ture is barely affected by it, and only after being manufactured is the rock 
available for the use of the farmer. 

The first in the series is the Water-Lime, 127 feet thick. It is used to a 
great extent throughour the county for farm fences, and by being burned and 
ground into hydraulic cement. The next is the Oriskany Sandstone. It is a 
coarse, open stone, but little known in the county, except in this town, where 
it is in one locality about thirty feet thick. It has no influence to speak of in 
agriculture. The next is the Onondaga Limestone proper, a name which it 
retains across the State, and usually known as the Gray Limestone. This is a 
very valuable rock in any locality — to the farmer for fences, as a building-stone, 
and as a manurial agent ; to the people of the city and villages, for pavements, 
cross-walks, sidewalks, and buildings. It is from twenty to thirty feet thick, 
but occupies but little space on the surface, and only affects the former inci- 
dentally after calcination. The next are the Corniferous and the Seneca Lime- 
stone. Together they are about forty feet thick. The next rock is the Marcellus 
Shale, and next the Hamilton group of shales, which together occupy the whole 
of the remainder of the town. Where the exact line of demarcation is can 
only be determined by the paleontologist by an examination of the fossils. The 
lower measures of the Marcellus Shale make a very black and very productive 
soil, gradually growing lighter in color as you go south, and a little less pro- 
ductive, till the well-defined fossils of the Hamilton group are reached, when 
the fertility is again restored, and continues to increase till the Tully Limestone 
is reached. The soil of the lowest portions of this group of shales is a slaty, 
clayey loam; farther south, a stronger clay, that gradually dies out, and sand 
takes its place and it becomes a sandy loam. The elements in this .soil are of 
the most productive kind, and, if an unproductive field is seen, it is usually in 
consequence of too much water. "" 

Agriculture. — The three controlling elements in agriculture are its geology, 
altitude, and markets. These have all to be taken into consideration in the prac- 
tise of husbandry, and that farmer who can sell the greater value of produce 
with the least detriment to his capital stock is the most successful. That the 
fanners of Skaneateles have always practised this I should be very loath to believe, 
but that they at present are trying to get at right conclusions is very evident. 
The Skaneateles Farmers' Club is an institution to be proud of. The agriculture 
of the town is only pretty good, but quite great evidence of improvement. Occa- 
sionally a farmer that is up to the times has put iti tuidcrdrains. and given bis 
more timid neighbors an excellent example, but the majority have not seen the 
great benefits to be derived from such practise. 

General rules for the guidance of all men can not be laid down, but every man 
must be guided by circumstance. Usually the controlling circumstances are the 
price of labor and the price of tile. When labor is clieajj and tile dear, put in 



HISTORY OF SK.lXli.lTEIJiS. 3°' 

ilci.]! drains, and few of tlicni. W'lien tile is cheap and labor dear, i)ul in shallow 
drains, and more of thcin. Suhsoiling in connection with draining will have 
a very beneficial efTect on many of the farms, and salt as a manure no douI)t would 
tlo well, as it has done on similar soil in many instances to the east of iiere. Salt, 
ashes, and plaster, singly or in combination, and in •several proportions, ought to 
be tried by almost every farmer, and the various conditions that would naturally 
result would give facts worth recording. These facts, combined and elucidated 
by the I'arniers' Club, would be of great value, not only to the farmers of Skan- 
eatelcs, but the county at large. 

Census. — The number of acres of improved land is reported to be J2,4gj, and 
the unimproved 11405, or 33.^^7 in all. This is 8,897 acres more than the lots 
call for, but it is known that some of them overrun the 6cx) acres, but probably 
not to this extent. Of this improved land. 6,cy5 was pasture, 4.764 meadow, 170 
fallow, and 5406 plowed, making 16,535 '" ^''' ^"'l l^"' ^ trifle over two-thirds 
of the town. This in a measure can be accounted for by the great amount of 
teasels grown, which would not be likely to be enumerated in either of the fore- 
going productions. 

There were 4,328 acres of meadow in 1864, and 3.965 tons of hay cut, or less 
than a ton per acre. This is a surprise, as it usually is thought that the hills arc 
least affected by drouth. 

Teasels being a great crop in this town, it is jiresumed that those credited to 
the county are mostly raised iicre. There was raised in the State $1 16,203 worih, 
of which Onondaga contributed $103,(369. and the number reported 16,866,125. 

Noticing a discrepancy in the wool report before visiting this town, I took 
pains on my visit to ascertain, if possible, the cause of this discrepancy. The 
Secretary of the Farmers' Club thought that the most likely reason was the failure 
of some farmers to report from carelessness. There were 11,300 sheep shorn in 
i8''i4; 10,510 in 1865. These gave 60,193 pounds in 1864, and 50,495 pounds in 
1865. The falling off in the number of sheep is not probable, and the reduction 
of the quantity of wool to the amount of nearly 10,000 can only be attributed to 
gross carelessness or dishonest design. Take the county together, and the increase 
for 1865 was 6,090. and Skaneafelcs ought not to have been any exccjition to the 
rule. 

Fences and Diiildings. — With the exception of hedges, the fencing in Skan- 
eateles is pretty poor. Stone of a good quality is found in so small a ]wrlion of 
the town that there is but very little wall comparatively to what is needed. The 
rails, ]>osts, and boards are al)oiit used uji, the tiinlier gone, and iron or hedges 
iiave got to take their places. There is more hedge in this town than in any other 
in the county, and this is partly from the fact that the inhabitants know Ijeltcr 
how to manage it than in other sections. Here the hawthorn, under F.nglish 
cultivation, has succeeded. 

Experience is the best teacher in this as in all other pursuits, and the farmers 
of Skaneateles are learning wliat to tlo for fences. A well-lrimmc<l hedge is 



302 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

beautiful, but a shabby one is the shabbiest of all fences, and requires great labor 
to keep it clean. On exposed situations probably the hedge is the best, but in other 
places iron in some shape would be the choice. 

The farm buildings are of all kinds from poor to excellent. Taken all in all, 
they are not so good as Van Buren. On both sides of the lake they are from good 
up to elegant, but in other localities are not nearly as fine, e.xcept occasionally. 
Alore trees are needed almost everywhere, but especially upon the great ridge they 
are vastly deficient. 

Mottvillc- — The village of Mottviile, on the outlet, about two miles below the 
lake, is a place of some importance, well laid out originally, but poorly taken 
care of at present. It has a church, hotel, store, schoolhouse, harness shop, wagon 
shop, milliner shop, meat market, two blacksmith shops, two shoe shops, and 
several manufacturing establishments. 

Mandaiia. — Mandana is a hamlet in the southwest (juarlcr of the town, with 
a post-office and hajf a dozen dwellings. 

Skaneatelcs. — Of all the villages of Onondaga, Skaneateles is the Empress. 
Beautifully and delightfully situated, with an excellent view of one of the prettiest 
lakes in the world, and showing a landscape upon either border as lovely as heart 
could wish, with fine streets, excellent walks, shady yards, and elegant dwellings, 
no wonder it is the home of the opulent, the favorite of tourists, the haunt of the 
man of leisure, and an earthly paradise to all visitors. 

It has six churches, three graded schools, two hotels, a national bank, a savings 
bank, two dry-goods stores, two hardware stores, four grocery stores, three black- 
smith shops, four milliner shops, two tailor shops, a copper shop, two wagon 
shops, two lumber yards, two lawyers, five clergymen, five physicians, one dentist, 
two photograph artists, and several manufacturing establishments. 

Manufactures. — In ascending the outlet from the station on the Central Rail- 
road, the first establishment is the old Hart Lot Distillery, which was, but is no 
more. It is being transformed into a paper-mill of the largest dimensions, and 
a vast amount of money has been laid out during the past summer to effect the 
change. When finished it is to be the largest in the State. 

Skaneateles Iron Works. — The Skaneateles Iron Works is a joint stock com- 
pany, with a capital of $100,000, which has been erecting the past season an 
extensive establishment. The main business intended to be pursued is the manu- 
facture of scrap iron into bolls, nuts, washers, rivets, and spikes. They have 
already erected a mill, 100 by 60 feet, which is capable of being extended 200 feet 
farther. At right angles to this is the forging shop, 100 by 30 feet, calculated'for 
fifty fires ; and at right angles to the last and parallel to the rolling-mill is the 
machine shop, "8 by 36 feet, and the commercial room, 60 by 36 feet, and an 
addition for the office of 28 by 36 feet. It lies between the outlet and new rail- 
road, the former furnishing the power and the latter the raw material, as both 
iron and coal can be landed in the yard without cartage. The rolls will be driven 
by turbine wheels under a seventeen-foot head, two of them working independ- 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



.?o3 



ently two trains of rolls. The rolliiig-niill will have all the furnaces and the usual 
appliances for such work. In the forging-nxjm the rods of iron will be cut to 
the proper lengths to be easily handled, and here by the aid of power hammers, as 
they arc called, the bolts are formed and headed at one heat and one operation. 
In the machine-shop the bolts will be threaded and the nuts tapped. In the com- 




mercial room they will be put together, packofl, and boxed for market. At present 
they arc running five fires only, on iron purchased, as the rolling-mill is not quite 
completed. 

The next establishment is the cement mill of G. M. Earll & Co. It has five 
perpetual kilns for burning the stone, and a mill with a capacity for 200 barrels 
per day. 



304 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Marysvillc Woolen Factory. — The next manufactory is the new stone woolen 
mill of the Marysville Woolen Factory, lately erected by Hoyt & Morton. The 
main building is four stories, lOO by 54 feet, a wing 34 by 26 feet, three stories 
high, and a dye-house, 50 by 36 feet, one story high. The whole is calculated for 
six sets of machinery, with two of them mostly in and ready to run. They will 
employ in a short time thirty to forty hands, and when in full operation about 
one hundred. They have also erected across the outlet a handsome brick block, 
126 by 34 feet, three stories high, calculated for eight dwellings. It is pleasantly 
situated, with an ample yard between it and the stream. 

Paper-Mill and Chair Factory. — The next establishment is the paper-mill of 
Bannister, Weeks & Leitch, who manufacture printing-paper exclusively. It has 
a capacity of 2,500 pounds a day, consuming about 4,000 pounds of rags. They 
employ about thirty-five hands, male and female, at an expense of $900 a month. 
The paper is mostly sold in the New York market. 

The chair factory of Sinclair & Hubbard is next up the stream, by the railroad. 
This is a fine stone building, 62 by 30 feet, and three stories high. They employ 
about a dozen hands, male and female, and turn out about three hundred chairs per 
week. They manufacture mostly flag and splint bottom, their forte being the 
Union arm-chair for offices, barrooms, etc. 

On the eastern bow of the outlet, ofif from the railroad, is the sash and blind 
factory of Daniel Hubbard, who, we were informed, is doing a good business ; 
and the sawmill of A. J. Earll, who is doing quite an extensive business at custom 
sawing. Together they employ about ten men. 

Foundry and Machine-Shop. — The old and well-known machine-shop of How- 
ard Delano was burned down on the 6th of September last, but the present pro- 
prietor, E. B. Hoyt, has already erected a handsome brick shop, 20 by 30 feet, 
two stories high, with one of Moseley's corrugated iron roofs, which is woriliy 
of a visit by any one who contemplates building. 

Wheeler, Benedict & Co. are general builders, have about twenty-five men in 
all branches of their business, and in connection with it have a large planing-mill 
and general turning establishment. Their pay-roll amounts to about three hun- 
dred dollars a month. 

Mottville Woolen Mill.— On the west side of the outlet, in the village of Alott- 
ville, is the extensive woolen mill of Thomas Morton. It is a three-story mill, 
100 by 40 feet, with two sets of machinery, and twelve Compton looms. These 
are exclusively run on shawls. He employs from thirty-five to forty hands, and 
the pay-roll varies from twelve to fifteen hundred dollars a month. 

Barnes & Coleman's flouring and custom mill is properly next on the stream. 
It is a three-story wood building, on a basement of stone; has three run of stone, 
capable of grinding from four to five hundred bushels per day. They buy an- 
nually about 40,000 bushels of wheat, mostly of home product. 

The chair factory of A. Blodgett is on the opposite side of the outlet. The old 
t;cntlcnian is conscientious and modest. He savs he onlv makes about thrci^ 



HISTORY OP SKASEATELES. 30S 

llioiisaiid iluUars' uDrtli per year, and cmpkiys lialf a dozen hands, who work by 
the piece. He thinks he makes a good article, and also that he can not afford to 
do otherwise. 

Distillery. — Earll & Tallman's distillery comes next on the outlet, bnt we did 
not visit it. It is a monster still in cither sense, uses up a pile of grain, fattens lots 
of hogs, and is just as good and just as bad as distilleries are. We hope it will 
follow the example of the others on this stream, and transform itself into a paper- 
mill or something else just as quick as it can. 

Papcr-Mill. — A few rods above the distillery is the paper-mill of Earll, Thayei 
& Co. This was an old distillery transformed, and they have now running foui 
engines and a machine, making 3,000 pounds of printing-paper a day, consuming 
6.000 i)ounds of rags. They employ about forty hands, male and female, and pay 
about twelve hundred dollars a month. 

IVillo-w Glen Woolen Mills. — About half-way from Mottville to Skaneateles 
is the well-known villa of the Willow Glen Woolen Mills. It is a large three- 
story wooden mill, on a stone basement, with the usual surroundings of smaller 
buildings, and scattered around it at a convenient distance are about twenty 
dwellings for the use of the employees. They are well painted, with good fences, 
and clean and neat in general appearance, reflecting credit upon all concerned. 
They have four sets of machinery making cassimcres from domestic wool. They 
consume alxnit 600 pounds of the raw material, making 700 yards of cloth a day, 
and employ about ninety hands, male and female, at a monthly cost of $3,800. 
Dickerson & Kennedy are the present proprietors, who will not let the reputation 
of the old mill deteriorate in any particular. 

Flouring- Mill. — Just opposite the depot in Skaneateles is the sjilcndid flouring- 
mill of Joel Thayer & Co. It is a three high story stone building, finished off on 
the inside better than most 1 have seen, and it is in every way one of the model 
mills of the country. It has four run of stone, capable of grinding alwut five 
hundred bushels a day, with a storage capacity of 10,000 bushels. The only defect 
in the entire thing is the variable head, and, as at present, a scarcity of water. 

Carriage Factory. — In the western part of the village is the carriage factory of 
John Packwood, a large, three-story brick building. Me employs from twenty 
to twenty-five hands in making carriages, sleighs, wagons, and lx>b sleighs, of all 
Ascriptions, and produces from twenty-five to thirty thousand dollars' worth 
annually. The pay-roll will average about one thousand dollars a month. 

A't'tt' Bridge. — The inhabitants of .'skaneateles contemplate building a new iron 
bridge over the outlet in the village. It will be. as they have laid out the work, a 
little over thirty feet span, and one hundred feel up and down stream. A stone 
arch of from fifteen to twenty feet span would take no more stone than they have 
already in the abutments of the old one, and if the outlet is lowered, as is now 
contemplated by the State, it will weaken those old foundations materially, aiul 
they are none too good now. Ily lowering the foundations some three feet, an 
anil <nii be turned with ease and not rai'^c the street, giving pkntv of w.Tt.rw.iv 



3o6 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



for the stream. An iron bridge will have to be planked every three or four years, 
and more will rot out than is worn out even then. A stone bridge will be a great 
deal the cheapest in the end, and, if well built with good stone, will stand a thou- 
sand years. We trust the people will consult with the State Engineers and Mr. 
Knight before they move too far. 



Official History of the Villace of Skaneateles. 

The village of Skaneateles was incorporated on the 19th of April, 1833, and 
the first election was held on May 14 of that year, at the Indian Queen Hotel, kept 
by Isaac W. Perry. The following were the first officers elected: Freeborn G. 
Jewett, President ; Daniel Talcott, Phares Gould, William Gibbs, Lewis H. Sand- 
ford, Trustees; Charles J. Burnett, Treasurer; Henry W. Allen, Collector; George 
Kennedy, Street Commissioner; James H. Allen. Clerk. Skaneateles was the 
fourth village incorporated in Onondaga County. 

The following have since served as Presidents of the Board of Village 
Trustees : 



1834 Daniel Kellogg. 

1835 Freeborn G. Jewett. 

1836 Phares Gould. 
1837-38 George F. Leitch. 

1839 James Hall. 

1840 George F. Leitch. 

1841 Nelson Hawley. 

1842 James Hall. 

1843 John C. Beach. 

1844 Spencer Hannum. 
1845-46 Nelson Hawley. 

1847 Alexander Horton. 

1848 William H. Willetts. 

1849 William H. Jewett. 

1850 John Davey, Jr. 
1851-52-53 Charles Pardee. 

1854 William Fuller. 

1855 John Legg. 

1856 John Bakrow. 

1857 Freeborn G. Jeweit. 

1858 Thomas Snook. 

1859 Spencer Hannum. 
i860 C. W. .Allis. 
1861-62 Harrison B. Dodge. 
1863 Charles Pardee. 
1864-65 Joel Thaver. 



1866 William R. Gorton. 

1867 Newell Turner. 

1868 Jacob C. De Witt. 

1869 Charles Pardee. 

1870 Harrison B. Dodge. 

1 87 1 James A. Root. 

1872 Charles Pardee. 
1873-74-75 T. Kelley. 
1876 William Marvin. 
1877-80 Thomas Kelley. 
1 88 1 Joel Thayer. 
1882-84 Joseph Allen. 
1885-87 William G. Ellery. 

(^ First President elected 
mdcpendently.) 
1888-89 Charles R. Milford. 

1890 Joseph C. Willetts. 

1891 N. O. Shepard. 

1892 Ezra B. Knapp. 
Resigned May 20, and 

N. O. Shepard appointed. 

1893 N. O. Shepard. 

1894 Edson D. Gillett. 
1895-96 E. Norman Leslie. 
1897-98 John E. Maller. 
1899 John McLaughlin. 



HISTORY OF SK.IXEATELES. 




the Shore «t ihc Ijikc. 



3o8 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

The village charter was amended in 1849. The corporate limits were enlarged 
in 1870, to embrace about one square mile. In 1855 the village was reincor- 
porated under a new State law. In 1870 the village as enlarged was resurveyed 
by Rhesa Griffin, assisted by James H. Gittord, of Mandana, who had formerly 
surveyed the town and village. 

The village has since been reincorporated under Chapter 291 of the Laws of 
1870, which is a general law for the incorporation of villages. It continued under 
this law until 1898, when by a vote, as provided by law, it was reincorporated 
under the general act known as the Village Law, being Chapter XXI. of the 
General Laws. This reincorporation took efi'ect July i, 1897. Under this law 
all villages in the State are divided into classes according to their population. 
Under this classification, this village is of the third class, as containing a popu- 
lation of one thousand and less than three thousand. 

The village of Skaneateles is one of the most picturesque in central New York. 
Its cool and salubrious climate and its nights during the summer season are par- 
ticularly inviting to sufferers from insomnia, and it is particularly free from those 
insidious insects mosquitoes. Its freedom from malaria and other ordinary local 
complaints makes it iiwiting to those in delicate health and for the healthfulness 
of children. 

Its wide streets and avenues, bordered with an abundance of shade-trees, con- 
sisting principally of the hard maple, elm, and other desirable trees, overhanging 
its sidewalks, are paved with the best quality of flagstones on nearly all the streets. 
Board and gravel walks are excluded from the village. There is not a village 
in the State which has more attractive streets and sidewalks than Skaneateles. 

The tasty dwellings and cottages, universally neatly painted, and surrounded 
by cultivated lawns and flowering plants, denote the characteristics of the resi- 
dents of the village of Skaneateles. 

Its municipal water system, every street piped, conveys to every dwelling the 
purest water for household purposes, at a nominal cost to each family. Hydrnnts 
are distributed in every street in the village for fire protection. 

Its location, immediately on the shore of the lake, its aquatic attractions, and 
its rural scenery in the vicinity of the village are not more beautiful and inviting 
than the village itself, which the genius of its architects has adorned with every 
clement of good taste, neatness, and beauty, as shown in its churches, niansidiis, 
cottages, parks, library building, schoolhouses, and business places. 

Town Meetings. — Town meeting was held at the tavern kept by Alford 
Lamb every year from 1843 to 1855. Town meeting was held at the inn of 
Henry S. Nye from 1856 to 1859. Town meeting was held at the inn of Thomas 
Hutchinson from i860 to 1862. Town meeting was held at the inn of John 
Carpenter 1864 and 1865. Town meeting was held at the inn of John Packwood 
1866-67-73. 



HISTORY or SKASEATELES. 



ciiAi'ri:R XXI. 

Changes in Property Ownership and Establishment of Libraries. 

The De Zeng-Lapham-Padei.ford-Roosevelt Property. — We herewith 
present a brief history of the De Zeng-Lapham-Padelford-Roosevclt property, 
which originally consisted of 223.84 acres : 

Captain John Doughty, a soldier of the Revolutionary army, drew Military 
Lot Xo. 2i7- He did not sell his claim as did many other Revolutionary soldiers. 
He purchased several other soldiers' claims, however. 

March 31, 1791, he sold to Ogden Hoffman and Martin Hoffman, of the city 
of New York, 1,800 acres of military lands, which included Lot No. 37, con- 
taining 600 acres. The consideration Doughty received for the 1,800 acres was 
£150. 

The pounds, shillings, and pence were at that period, by law, the divisions 
of the Spanish milled dollars. .\ pound was twenty shillings of twelve and a half 
cents each. 

June 10, 1793, Ogden Hoffman and Martin Hoffman sold to Moses De Witt 
Military Lot No. 37; consideration, £185. Moses De Witt had been appointed 
by the Surveyor-General, Simeon De Witt, as his assistant. 

This Lot No. 37 contains the property under present consideration. 

June 10, 1794, Moses De Witt conveyed under contract (no consideration 
named) to James Ennis and wife 223.84 acres in Lot Nos. 37 and 35. James 
Ennis was in possession of this land until 181 1, seventeen years. During his 
ownership a tavern was built for the accommodation of travelers. It was fre- 
quented by traveling pedlers. One of this class of travelers had suddenly dis- 
appeared, and the last seen of him was in that tavern. The following legend will 
be of interest in tiiis connection, and was related to the author personally by the 
late George IVancis, of this village: 

" \\ hen 1 was a lK>y of about seven years of age, there stood a two-story frame 
house on the west shore of the lake which had been occupied as a tavern. The 
house was painted a dingy brown, and near by stood a small barn for tiie accom- 
modation of travelers' horses. This house had the reputation of being haunted. 
A well-known pcdier had disappeared, and the last that was seen of him was in 
that house. With ail the vivid stories of the ghostly apparitions which took place 
in that house every night that were floating around the village, particularly among 
the boys of my age, 1 became imbued with awe and hardly dared to go out after 
dark. However, I was obliged sometimes to go to the stores from my home, 
which was in the eastern |)art of the village. One evening I recollect distinctly 
passing on the south side nf the turnpike along the shore of the lake between 



3'o HISTORY OF SKAKEATELES. 

what is now Legg Hall and the Episcopal Church. I looked up the lake shore, 
and was horrified by the sight of two rows of flittering lights passing in opposite 
directions through the trees and bushes. One row of lights was going directly 
from the haunted house in nearly a straight line clear down to the lake and into 
the water. Another row, 1 should judge about ten feet from the other row, was 
running from the water to the house. I could not see that there were any per- 
sons carrying the lights, and came to the conclusion that, owing to the rapidity 
of the lights through the bushes, it was not done by human agency. 

" At the time of the disappearance of the pedler, folks said the family had not 
a very good name. By-and-by the family moved away. The next man who lived 
there, while one day digging the refuse accumulations out of the cellar, found 
the pedler's bones, at least everybody supposed they must have been the pedler's 
as nobody else was missing at that time. Nobody claimed them, and the man 
chucked them in the corner of a pasture-lot near by. The boys used to visit the 
location in the daytime and amuse themselves by kicking the bones around for 
fun. Some of the boys cracked butternuts with the pedler's shin-bone, at least that 
is what they said. The man who found the bones moved his family into the house. 
They had not got fairly settled before the chairs began to tumble around, the 
dishes rattled in the cupboard, the doors would not stay shut, and the windows 
rattled and banged, as if some one was all the time shaking them. The man of 
the house said that every night some one he could not see kept shaking something 
about his ears that sounded like bones in a bag. Then a big yellow dog with 
red eyes got to appearing in the house, and, when any of the family would go 
near him, he would not be there, sometimes going up into the air, and sometimes 
fading away right where he stood. This is what the family said, and everybody 
believed them. The circumstance of the man's treating the pedler's bones so 
unchristianlike as to throw them in the corner of a lot was sufficient cause, in the 
opinion of everybody, for the house being haunted, and there was no use of having 
any peace in that family until the bones were buried decently, and everybody told 
the man he had better do it. So he went to work to see if he could get the 
pedler together and lay him to rest in the graveyard. He found a few of the 
bones and buried them decently, to see if the advice he had received from every- 
body proved true. The doors and windows banged and the chairs kept moving 
around as usual, but the bag of bones did not rattle so much, and the eyes of the 
mysterious yellow dog that looked all along so fierce-looking changed to a mild 
blue after the few bones had been plantcti, and just before he disappeared he gave 
his tail a little wag. 

" This encouraged the family, and they went to work hunting for more of 
the skeleton. They offered the boys ten cents a bone for all they could find, and 
the family joined in the search until they got all but the skull. W'ell, these were 
all buried with the first ones. The effect was that the chairs kept still and the 
windows and doors did not bang so much, and the bag of bones quit entirely ; 
but the queerest result was the action of the dog, which the children could 



H/STORV OF SKAXEATELES. .?'■ 

almost get to play with tlicni, and they said he looked so pleased when he dug out 
and went into the air with a playful skip. 

" The family now only wanted the skull, but with the most careful search it 
could not be found. Some time after, a boy was picking berries along the fence 




TAIN JAMKS KALI,. 



.I'TAIN jAMKs Mali. wu» one i.f the most prumincnt nionufucturcrs of cnrriiiKi-» iin<l •.tclnhn i 
SkaneatclM, and wa» one of the firm of Seth A Jnnicn Holl. H» wm born Bt Mcthuc 
Maiut., in i7<>i, and died at Skaneatelco. October, iBj?. 



not far from where the bones had been originally thrown, and he stepped on a 
rolling stone, which threw liim on tlic ground in the brush, when to his surprise 
he discovered that he had stepped on the pedler's skull, which every boy in the 
neighborhood had been searching for. He immediately carried it to the man, 
who gratefully rewarded him for finding it. The skull was buried with the col- 



312 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

iection of the other remains of the unfortunate pedler, and from that day the 
house was perfectly quiet, and the family lived in peace thereafter. 

'■ I do not vouch for the truth of all these stories, as I had no personal expe- 
rience, being too small a boy to join the larger ones in kicking around the bones, 
but I heard the details from the other boys. Perhaps some of the old inhabitants 
who were then living hereabout may dispute some of the circumstances above 
related ;'but it must be borne in mind that I was a small boy then, and could not 
take any active part with the larger boys who kicked the bones around for fun, 
and that my information was principally derived from hearsay. My ears were 
always open, and any statement made by the boys made an indelible imprint on 
my youthful memory. In after years, I used to hear the frequenters of the old 
tavern (which stood next east to the present residence of Mr. Jvlarvin) talk about 
the haunted house, and relate circumstances identical with those I have detailed." 

We now come to one of the most interesting personages described in this 
history — Daniel Ludlow. On October 4, 181 1, James Ennis (who married 
Hannah, daughter/ of Abraham A. Cuddeback, the earliest settler in this town) 
conveyed the 223.84 acres to Daniel Ludlow, and to Richard Harrison as trustee, 
with power of sale for the benefit of said Daniel Ludlow ; consideration, $5,800. 

The author, having observed many years ago an old marble monument in the 
old burying-ground formerly owned by the Schaneateles Religious Society, sought 
out its history and published it in the columns of the Skaneateles Democrat, per- 
haps forty years ago, as follows : 

" A Relic of History. — Near the southwest corner of the old burying-ground, 
now included in the village cemetery, is an old marble monument, surmounted 
with a dilapidated, weather-worn, moss-covered urn. The inscription on this 
monument reads thus : 

Sacred to the 

memory of 

DANIEL LUDLOW, ESQ.. 

of the City of N. Y., 

Born August 2, 1750. 

Died Sept, 26, 1814. 

" Daniel Ludlow came to Skaneateles from New York about the year 1810, 
and purchased a place then owned by Jacobus Annis, and situated on what is 
now known as the Anson Lapham place. The following interesting history of 
Mr. Ludlov«, copied from a hook published many years ago in Xcw York, may be 
of interest to your readers : 

" ' Daniel Ludlow was born in 1750. He married about 1773, and had several 
children — Harriet, Daniel, Jr., Robert C, Frederick, and Edward G. Ludlow. 
The father of the above children was sent when young by his father to Holland 
about 1765, where he went into the counting-room of Crommeline & Son, in Am- 
sterdam. There he thoroughly learned business in the good old Dutch way, and 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 3>3 

was also obliged to leani the French and German languages as well as the Dutch. 
He returned to New York after an absence of four or five years, and entered into 
business here with his father just before the Revolutionary War. His father died 
in 1769. After the war he went into partnership with Edward Goold. The store 
of I-udlow & Goold was at 47 Wall Street. This firm dissolved in 1790. Mr. 
Ludlow continued in business at 38 Greac Dock Street (now Pearl;, in his own 
name. In 1793 he took in Guilian, his nephew, at 42 Wall Street. His residence 
was at 56 Broadway, corner of Garden Street. The house was built by the old 
merchant, and nearly a cargo of marble was used in its construction. It was a 
large double house. Twenty years ago it was standing and used for the Waver- 
ley house. Daniel Ludlow was appointed Navy Agent by President Jefferson, 
and continued to hold that ofKce during his whole administration. In after years, 
when he was established in business in New York, he went abroad to form com- 
mercial connections in different parts of Europe. It happened that he was in 
I'aris at the time Louis XVI. and his queen. Marie Antoinette, were executed. 
He saw both these illustrious personages guillotined, and it made a deep impres- 
sion on his mind. He used to relate all that took place. He said the king 
e.\hibited fear and that his fortitude forsook him ; but not so with the queen. He 
said she looked with the utmost scorn upon the people during the procession and 
upon the guillotine. The crowd made Ludlow wear one of the rosettes. He wa.s 
in London, and lodged in the same house with Paoli, the celebrated Corsican. 
In the course of his travels for business purposes Mr. Ludlow saw every crowned 
head in Europe. He established the largest business that was done at that time 
in the city of New York. He was agent for the Holland Land Company, and all 
their business in this country was done by him. Daniel Ludlow & Co. were 
engaged largely in the East India trade. They had a branch house there. They 
largely imported East India drugs, gums, .etc. Mr. Ludlow lost nearly half a 
million dollars by underwriting in the first quasi French war. At one lime there 
were but two insurance companies in the city, and consequently it became a 
matter of necessity that private underwriting should be undertaken. The largest 
underwriters in the city were Daniel Ludlow, John B. Church, and John Delafield. 
They all lost immensely, and the I'resident, Washington, in one of his messages 
stated that their rights should be protected : yet these losses have never been made 
good. He also lost an immense sum by the Berlin and Milan decrees of Bona- 
parte. His ships were trading to every port in Europe, and to the East and the 
West Indies. In 1806 he lost several thousand dollars by the celebrated General 
Miranda and the transactions of Samuel B. Ogdcn. Mr. Ludlow was a genuine 
"1(1 school merchant. He had his house in town and his country-seat. The latter 
was afterward sold for $28,000. He owned the store at No. 19 South Street, 
where he was for so many years. He did almost all the hospitality of New York 
to strangers. There were six or eight places kept at his table every day for the 
use of those who might drop in unexpectedly. General Moreau, Hyde dc New- 
ville, and other distinguished gentlemen were visitors at his house.' " 



314 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

On November i, i8i2, Daniel Ludlow, of Skaneateles, and Richard Harrison, 
of the city of New York, by deed dated May 14, 1812, mortgaged to Robert C. 
Ludlow, Jr., and Ferdinand Ludlow all that piece of land, being parts of Lots 
Nos. 35 and 37, beginning at the northeast corner of Abraham A. Cuddeback's 
land, containing 223.84 acres; consideration, $8,000. 

On July I, 1812, there was a mortgage sale to -Robert C. Ludlow, Jr., and 
Edward G. Ludlow. 

On September 30, 1815, Robert C. Ludlow, Jr., and Edward G. Ludlow con- 
veyed to Ben Miller the same lands ; consideration, $7,500. 

Daniel Ludlow, who died in Skaneateles in the year 1814, had a remarkable 
genealogj-. The Ludlows, who for nearly two centuries have formed an influential 
element of the wealthy and substantial population of New York, descended from 
the eldest gentry in the kingdom of Great Britain, and their pedigree is remark- 
ably clear and distinct. It may be traced on one side without a break to Edward L 
of England (in the year 1272) and his second wife, Margaret, daughter of 
Philip in. of France. The minutest detail of this descent, from Margaret, the 
second wife of Edward I., is fully given in Mrs. Martha J. Lamb's " History of the 
City of New York," down to George Ludlow, thence to Gabriel Ludlow, who 
settled in New York in the year 1660. As in this genealogy there are many 
Gabriels, the successive ones will be numbered. Gabriel 2d, sixth child of Gabriel 
1st, married, (i) Frances, daughter of George Duncan, (2) Elizabeth Crommeline. 
Among his numerous children Gabriel 3d married Ann, daughter of Guillian 
Verplanck, whose son, Gabriel V. 4th, married Elizabeth Hunter, and their son 
Daniel was a wealthy banker of New York and President of the Manhattan Bank, 
who owned a country-seat at Barretto's Point, on the East River, whence he 
drove four-in-hand to Wall Street every day. Daniel's wife was Arabella, 
daughter of Thomas Duncan, and their children were: i. Harriet, married George 
Wright ; 2. Daniel ; 3. Robert, married Mary Peters ; 4. Dr. Edward G., married 
Mary Lewis, granddaughter of Francis and Elizabeth Ludlow Lewis, and great- 
granddaughter of Governor iMorgan Lewis. This detail of the genealogy of the 
Ludlow family shows what an important personage Daniel Ludlow was before he 
came here from New York and became a resident, and here he died, and was 
buried in the old burying-ground on the hill. That such a prominent personage, 
such a wealthy merchant, such a well-known citizen of New York, should have 
settled in this far-distant portion of the State seems unaccountable. 

It has been learned since writing the preceding remarkable history of Daniel 
Ludlow that he failed in business, and gave up all his property to his creditors. 
Flis purchase of the 224-acre farm here was held in trust by Richard Harrison 
(his cousin). It was subsequently purchased from the trustee by Edward G. 
Ludlow, his son. Daniel Ludlow finally failed in business owing to the many 
losses heretofore detailed, and at last to large losses by " The French Spoliations." 
His former country home was at Barretto's Point, up the East River, on Long 
Island Sound. It was one of the most beautiful and elegant residences of its time. 



IS n ) AM ■ F SK.lXE.i TELES. 




3i6 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Dr. Edward G. Ludlow, above named as the fourth child of Daniel Ludlow, 
was an early merchant here in the village, whose store in 1812 was on the north 
side of the Seneca Turnpike, at about the present location of Miss Wheeler's 
millinery store. Edward C. Ludlow's further history will be found in Chapter 
XIV. 

It was stated heretofore that Robert C. Ludlow^ Jr., and Edward G. Ludlow 
conveyed the mortgaged lands to Ben Miller, September 30, 1S15; consideration. 
$7,500. 

On September 18, 1819. Ben Miller sold to George Thorpe, of Charlotte. \"t.. 
2.23.84 acres; consideration, $7,500. 

On March 22, 1823, George Thorpe sold and conveyed the same lands :o 
Richard Talcott; consideration, $6,000. 

A large portion of this land was covered with original forest, heavily tim- 
bered. Richard Talcott soon commenced the erection of a dwelling-house, for 
the frame of which he used his own forest trees. He built a stately mansion, 
which was located exactly where the present more stately mansion is now. Tal- 
cott's dwelling was two stories, with portico, ornamented with four supporting 
Corinthian columns, which were constructed of solid red-beech wood. The term 
" red beech " is explained by the fact that only the heart of the tree after trim- 
ming ofif the exterior was used in the construction of these columns. The man- 
sion was also surmounted with a cupola, and had two wings, the southerly one of 
which was used for a private school. The teacher of this school, whom Richard 
Talcott had procured from Philadelphia, was Benjamin Valentine, who was a half- 
brother of Mr. Talcott's wife. The school was exclusively for the education of 
pupils of the Society of Friends. The first scholars were Daniel Talcott's three 
children, two children of Slocum Rowland, of Scipio, and there may have been 
others. Of course the school was a Hmited one. During Mr. Valentine's resi- 
dence here both he and the late Augustus Kellogg became intimate friends. 
Kellogg at that period was a young man about twenty years of age, commencing 
the study of law in his father's office. 

The next succeeding owner of this property was Richard L. De Zeng. He 
had previously been a resident of Oswego, N. Y., where he had accumulated a 
large property as a speculator in real estate previous to the year 1837. It would 
seem that he was extremely fortunate in ending his large operations at that 
particular time, as the following year, 1837, a panic overspread the whole country, 
bringing ruin to all classes of people, especially real estate speculators. He thus 
escaped the general depreciation in values, came to Skaneateles with his money, 
and purchased the Richard Talcott property, as shown in the following record : 

On June 2, 1838, Richard Talcott conveyed 223.84 acres lo Richard L. Dc 
Zeng; consideration, $12,000. 

De Zeng purchased this property with the intention of replacing the Talcott 
mansion with a more modern and stately building. He therefore sought a pur- 
chaser for the Talcott house, and have it removed from its foundation. II. \\'. 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 3'7 

Allen, of Skaiicateles, possessed a very stylish span of carriage horses, the very 
best ill this section of the State. These Mr. Ue Zeng admired and desired to 
l)ossess, and in order to do so he offered H. \V. Allen the Talcott mansion in 
trade for his span of horses, with only one condition, and that was that the 
house was to be removed within a stated time. The offer was accepted by Allen, 
w ho very soon after sold the Talcott mansion on the same conditions to J. Gurdon 
I'orter, of Skaneateles, and he at once prepared to have the buildings taken down 
l)iecemeal with the intention of having the materials transported to a vacant lot 
which he owned in the village. After having the building carefully taken down 
and the materials transported to their destination, the mansion was immediately 
reerccted, e.\aclly as it stood overlooking the lake (except the two wings), on 
one of the most prominent locations in the place, which overlooked the village, 
. jn a pinnacle of rising ground exactly suited to its original design. The solid red- 
beech columns are there, supporting its portico in the same relative position as 
lliey were originally. This handsome structure is now the residence of Russell 
D. Wheeler, on Lcitch Avenue. Mr. J. Gurdon I'orlcr unfortunately met with 
some losses in his mercantile business, soon after he had completed the erection 
of this building, and was obliged to dispose of it. One of the original wings, 
which was used by Richard Talcott for school purposes, is now located on Leitch 
.\venue as a dwelling, and is owned by Miss M. E. Beauchamp. The other wing 
nuw forms the rear addition to the Wheeler dwelling. 

-After Mr. De Zeng had had his architects complete the design, plans, and 
.-pecitications, he gave out the contract to (jeorge Casey, of Auburn, N. Y., who 
employed Frederick Douglass, of Auburn, to do the mason work. The first 
foundation stone was laid in the month of May, 1839. The contract with George 
( "asey was for $18,000. The roof having been changed to copper, this with some 
other changes in details was not included in the contract price. Parsons. Hewsoii 
& Co., of Auburn, had the contract for completely furnishing the house at a cost 
of Si 1. 000. Richard L. De Zeng occupied the mansion until his death. On the 
8th of September, 1841, he sold 108.55 a<-'''<-'s to Francis M. Potter; consideration, 
$9,226.73. It is not known exactly when Mr. De Zeng died, but his will was 
])robated July 20, 1848, and witnessed bv William I. I'.urnett ami David 11. Kel- 

Ingg. 

De Zeng's executors. lulward Dc Zeng. Josepii C. 1 laight, and Sarah De Zeng, 
after advertising the pro()erty extensively, finally requested John I-cgg to make 
;in offer for both house and furniture. He made the offer of $10,000. and on 
September 20, 1849, the offer was accepted, and John Legg became the owner. 

On October 31, 1849, Jo''" Legg sold to Peter Whittlesey 113.78 acres; con- 
-ideration. $10,500. Mr. Legg in the mean time removed most of his furniture. 
111(1 thus received an advance of $300 and the furniture. 

Peter Whittlesey retained possession of the properly eight years, during 
which he sold the north half of the farm on the west side of the highway, con- 
taining 101.78 acres, to Eastwood .Mien, at about .seventy dollars per acre, thus 



3i8 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

retaining the twelve-acre lot containing the De Zeng mansion. On March 23, 
1857, Peter Whittlesey sold the twelve acres to Seth J\I. Hale; consideration, 
$9,000. 

The next year, August 17, 1858, Seth M. Hale sold the same lot to Anson 
Lapham for $8,000. Anson Lapham, by his last will and testament, devised the 
twelve acre lot to his wife, Amie Ann Lapham. 

Amie Ann Lapham, on November 20, 1878, sold the same grounds to William 
R. Willetts; consideration, $20,000. 

On September 24, 1892, William R. Willetts conveyed this lot to E. M. Padel- 
ford; consideration, $20,000. 

The Skaneateles Libeary Association. — The Skaneateles Library Asso- 
ciation was incorporated on October 20, 1877, by Joel Thayer, E. Norman Leslie, 
Henry T. Webb, John H. Smith, Charles S. Hall, E. B. Coe, John C. Stephenson, 
George T. Campbell, Shuler D. Conover, Edwin L. Parker, C. ^^'. Allis, Prof. 
A. M. Wright, Joseph C. Willetts, John Plumphreys, and William Marvin. 
Library rooms were opened in the Legg Block, and in 1880 the present handsome 
and commodious stone library building was erected. It is one of the chief attrac- 
tions of the village, and was dedicated February 27, 1890, Hon. William Marvin 
presiding. ^Nliss Lydia A. Cobane has been Librarian ever since its incorpora- 
tion. The officers are: William Marvin, President; J. C. Willetts, \'ice-Presi- 
dent. 

It has been an almost general query by strangers visiting the village why that 
small brick building on the prominent corner was allowed to interfere with the 
ensemble of the library structure and proper design. It has been currently 
reported that Benoni Lee, the original owner, who devised it to the Library 
Association, made a provision in his will that it should not be removed. The 
following, copied from his last will and testament, dated August 17, 1885, does 
not show that he made such a provision : 

" Fourth. I give, devise, and bequeath to the Skaneateles Library Association 
all that tract or parcel of land, situate in the village of Skaneateles, county of 
Onondaga, and State of New York, being the whole of Lot Number 23, and 
part of Lot Number 22, in Block 13 of said village as designated on the map 
thereof made by R. Griffin, Jr., in 1870, and bounded on the south by Genesee 
Street, on the west by State Street, and on the north and east by lands owned by 
William Porter at the time of his decease, with my law office thereon, and my 
law library, including all my law books, both bound and unbound, and the book- 
cases, iron safe, and writing-desk, and all furniture belonging to or used in said 
office." 

Another Library. — The late W'illiam M. Beauchamp established a circulating 
library in the year 1832-33, which continued successfully for more than twenty 
years. 

A Snow Storm. — The snow-storm illustrated in the engraving herewith oc- 
curred on February 7, 1891. The snow fell to the depth of one foot, and was 



HISTORY OF SK.-1XEATFJ.es. 



f:Sf^ •■-BiBW"r^*r»^«l 
















320 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

a wet snow. It covered the naked limbs of the trees in perpendicular ridges, 
and, there not being any wind, even the very smallest branches of the trees were 
covered about an inch in depth. The evergreens, such as the Norway spruce and 
balsams, were so heavily laden with the snow that the limbs hung straight down 
alongside their trunks. The following day, Sunday, there was not a breath of 
wind, and the trees throughout the village were a magnificent sight to behold. 
This engraving is made from a photograph taken in front of the residence of 
Frederick Roosevelt. The day was overcast. A few rays of sunshine would 
have produced a sight of unusual splendor. 

The First Organ. — We present below a copy of the subscription list for the 
first organ in St. James' Church : 

Subscription to V.w for the First Organ to be Constructed for St. James' Church. 

We the subscribers do hereby agree severally for ourselves to pay to Ellsworth Phelps 
the sums set opposite our respective names, in pay for an Organ in and for the use of St. 
James' Church in Skaneateles, which Organ is to be furnished with a good and well- 
finished case suitable to enclose the same. The front to be made of mahogany, with gilt 
front show pipes. The price for the Organ and case to be $200.00. 

Skaneateles, June 30, 1828. 

William Gibbs $2S-00 S. & J. Hall $8.00 

S. Horton 25.00 Thomas W. Hecox 2.00 

Samuel Francis 10.00 John S. Furman 10.00 

Charles J. Burnett 25.00 George Arnold 2.J0 

Enos T. Throop, by C. J. Burnett.. 10.00 Noadiah Kellogg 2.00 

John Legg 8.00 A. B. Keeler 2.00 

J. S. Perry 4.00 Nelson Hawley 3.00 

A. Kellogg 10.00 Joseph Dascomb 5.00 

Charles Pardee 10.00 Timothy Benton 2.00 

J.M.Allen S-OO F. G. Jewett 500 

A. S. HoUister 10.00 Hezckiah Earll 300 

J. II. Colvin .". 6.00 

B. S. Wolcott 5.00 $202.00 

S. Porter Rhoades 5. 00 

How A Wealthy Citizen was swerved from his Purpose ov- establishing 
A Free Public Library in Skaneateles. — During the early part of the month 
of June, 1875, I (the author) took occasion to carry out a design which had pre- 
viously suggested itself to my mind to make a personal call on the late Anson 
I.aphani at his residence. This was intended to interest him in the establishment 
of a Free Public Library in the village of Skaneateles, as a memorial of his only 
(laughter, Elizabeth Anna, whose death occurred at Brooklyn, N. Y., December 
28, 1864, at the age of twenty-five years. Her name Anna was her mother's 
maiden name, Anna D. Thorne. To my suggestion he immediately replied that 
he had never thought of that before, and he at once expressed his feelings of 
gratitude for introducing the subject of a memorial to him. 

-Anson Lapham's first wife was the daughter of Jonathan Thurnc, who was a 
successful Icallior merchant in the citv of New York, and had a residence in or 



H/STORV Of- SK,l.\r.,niilJlS. 321 

near Poughkcepsic. Slu- was very wealthy when she married Ansoii Laphani. 
They had two children — a son and a daughter. The son died of yellow fever at 
kio Janeiro. Mrazil. about 1855. The daughter accompanied him to Skaneateles 
in the vear 1857. She was a very bright and attractive young lady, and had 
many intimate friends here, who admired her for her loving i|nalities. .\n<l when 
Lizzie, as she was familiarly called, died, her father was overwhelmed with 
anguish and the deepest sorrow. 

When the suggestion of a memorial to her was introduced, he became dee])ly 
interested in the subject, and maile many in(|iiiries respecting the details of estab- 
lishing a lii)rary. He asked where wt)ul(l be a suitable location for such a 
building. In reply 1 stated where the several small frame buildings were, just 
east of Judge Marvin's residence. This seemed satisfactory to him. .Another 
of my suggestions was an enrlowment fund for the support of a l->ee Public 
Library. This met his views, .\fter this I bad a long and pleasant conversation 
with him on the subject generally, in which he seemed to take much personal 
interest, and he took occasion several times to express his obligations for my 
-iveral suggestions. Finally, he invited me to call again the following afternoon, 
which I promised to do. After leaving Mr. Lapham, 1 met Mrs. Lapham in the 
front hall, and took occasion to explain to her the object of my visit, an<l of .Mr. 
I^l)hani's personal interest in the subject. She immediately exjjressed her interest 
and i)leasure in it, and her desire to do all in her |)ower to carry out all his wishes 
in every respect, and assured nie that she would do all that could be done for 
its complete success. 

The next afternoon, when I came by invitation, I was met with a surprise. 
.\lr. Lapham had in the mean time been com])letely reversed — turned backward — 
from his interest in a memorial to his loving and deceased daughter. He met me 
in rather a resentful mood, saying: "There is no reason why I should pav for 
■ ther persons" reading, when they could just as well i)ay for their own rea<ling 
.IS I could have done when I commenced life." 

I could not imagine, nor could 1 believe, that Mrs. Lai)ham had eu<leav<>re<l 
to change his intentions and wishes. In fact, it was not possible, after the assur- 
.inces she gave me of her pleasure ami desire to do all in her |)ower lo carry out 
iuT husband's wishes and intentions. 

The only influential member of his household who could have produced this 
yreat reversal of his avowed interest in establishing a memorial l"ree Public 
Library was one to whom Mr. lapham had previously loaned im his obligations 
lifty thousand dollars. It was, in my opinion, Anson Lapham's stepson, who. taking 
I'ivaniage of Mr. lapham's easily influenced weak mind, did use his personal 
iiil'ucnce and did succeed in swerving /\nson La|)ham from his avowed purpose 
"t establishing an endowed Free Public Library in the village of Skaneateles, as 
a loving memorial to his only daughter antl child ( having previously lo.st an only 
^nn), whose death was the most heart -rtiiding loss that he ever sustained, and in 
Ahmn during her life was centered all bis eartbh happiness. 



SEP. !5 1902 



322 HISTORY OF SKAXEATF.LRS. 

His death occurred October 2^,, 1876, in the seventy-third year of his age. at 
which time his personal estate amounted to fully $800,000. He had several 
years previously executed a last will and testament, appointing C. W. AUis and 
Benoni Lee his executors. Less than three months before his death he executed 
a new last will and testament, which was in substance similar to his first will, 
except in one particular, and that was that he named three executors: C. W. 
.Allis, Benoni Lee, and William Marvin. These executors made three several 
reports of their receipts during the settlement of the estate, which were as 
follows: 

( )ct()lier 2^. 1871;. they char-ed themselves with Sf)i;2.6_^_V5'' 

June 3, 1880, they charged themselves with 51,016.30 

.\ugust 4, 1880, they charged themselves with 50,071.68 



:\Iaking a total of $793,721.54 

The appraisement of the securities was a very liberal one, very low values, there- 
fore the value of the personal property was fully $800,000. Each executor 
received a full commission, which exceeded $8,000 each. To C. \V. .Allis was 
bequeathed $3,000. in adilitiou to the commissions he wcuild be entitled to as 
e.\*ecutor. 

Anson Lapham had no near blood relatives in whom he had any ])ersonal 
interest, but as they were his legal heirs he bequeathed to them one-half of his 
]H'rsonal estate, amoimting to $400,000. The following syno]xsis of his last will 
and testament, dated ,\ngust 3. lS7(). is here given: 

B}- the secdud clause, he devised and be(|ueathed tn his wife, Amie .\nn 
Lapham, the homestead, known as " Lake Home," containing about twelve acres 
of land, together with its furniture and all other per.sonal pro]5erty of every 
nature contained in such homestead: also one-half of his remaining personal 
estates. - if she. said Amie Ann L;ipli:mi. 1h' living at niv (Kve;isc, Init, in case 
of her death pric.r t<i my (lece;ise. I gi\'e. (le\'ise. and bei|ueatli the same td the 
children nf said Amie Ami l.apbam. tn be divided between them share and 
share alike." 

Withe lUt commenting 1 in the preceding unusual gift, it may be here con- 
sidered that .Mr. L.-ipbam would undoubtedly have made a very liberal exiH'u- 
diture on a memon;d bfee Public l.ibrafy, and endowed it very liberally, if his 
avowed intentions and wishes hatl not been frustrated. The object in detailing 
the extent of Mr. Lapham's personal property is to show that, if he had been 
allowed to establish a loving memorial in rememljrance of his only child and 
daughter by appropriating lifty or e\en sixty thousand dollars for that purpose. 
no one of his legatees wnuld have iieen the sulTi'rer. 

Had Anson Lajjliam not been interfered with and been allowed to carry oiU 
his cherished design, Skaneateles would have had an educational institution 
worthy proportionately with the liberal Carnegie of recent times, and worthy of 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 3^3 

Anson Lapliam and of his lovely deceased daughter. ]t would have been hand- 
somely endowed, and would have illustrated the subject of my visit to his resi- 
dence in the month of June, 1875, suggesting to him a memorial in remembrance 
of his deceased daughter. 

As Anson Laphams will has never been publicly printed, it may not be out 
of place to insert here a few of his bequests to charitable institutions. He 
bequeathed to Elizabeth Lapham Howard $1,000 (she having been an intimate 
friend of Mr. Lapham's deceased daughter, and was named after her) ; to the 
Onondaga Orphan Asylum, $2,000; St. Joseph's Hospital of Syracuse, $2,000; 
House of the Good Shepherd, Syracuse, $2,000; Swarthmore College, located at 
Philadelphia, $5,000; and the Syracuse Home Association, $5,000. 

Amie Ann Lapham, having survived her husband, under the provisions of his 
will came into possession of one-half of his personal estate, which was a total 
of $800,000. In addition she was given the homestead known as Lake Home, 
including all the personal property on the place. Lake Home alone was worth 
$20,000, and has been sold at that rate since. Therefore the widow came into 
possession, after the settlement of the estate, of over $420,000. She then 
divided this property among her three sons, Charles, Joseph C, and William, 
which was a very proper thing to do. There was no record of this division, as 
it was strictly a private transaction, and was not intended to be known to the 
public. This last statement is merely the opinion of the author, and not founded 
on actual knowledge, but from indefinite report. 

I was not aware of the weak-mindedness of Anson Lapham at the time I 
introduced the subject of a memorial Free Public Library. Since that time I 
have ascertained a number of instances in which this weakness was involved, 
among which the follow^ing illustrations may suffice: 

At the commencement of the Civil War, 1861, the Board of Supervisors of 
the County of Onondaga secured a loan of a few thousand dollars for the pur- 
pose of aiding in raising volunteers for the defense of the Union, not anticipating 
that the war would be of long duration. As it continued, the County by its 
Supervisors determined in 1863 to secure a larger loan by the issue of bonds, to 
raise money not only to pay the previous temporary indebtedness, but to raise 
more money to offer bounties for additional volunteers. At that period during 
the war money was difficult to be obtained from individual investors, con- 
sequently circulars were issued and sent to all the city and country banks, with a 
request to these banks that they from patriotic motives as well as profitable 
investments should accept these bonds and enable the County to raise the required 
money. 

The Lake Bank had only recently been organized here in Skaneatcles, and 
its Cashier, H. J. Hubbard, had received an invitation to accept some of the 
bonds. He therefore brought the subject to the attention of Anson Lapham, 
who immediately said that he would take $10,000 in $1,000 bonds. The circular 
stated that the bonds would be issued as soon as they could be completed. Mr. 



324 



HISTORY OF SK.LXEATELRS. 



Lapham after a short time sent his $10,000 to tlie County Treasurer, and re- 
ceived a receipt for the advanced money. After the bonds had been completed, 
ready for delivery, and advertised, Anson Lapham's bonds remained in charge 
of the County Treasurer. Months passed, and even years passed, and Mr. 
Lapham had not called or sent for his bonds. Finally, after four years had 
passed, when Mr. Hubbard happened to call at the office of the County Treasurer, 




reolype taken in 1S46. 



he was surjjrised to learn that the Skaneateles investor had not called for his 
bonds. Immediately on his return to Skaneateles he notified Mr. Lapham that 
the bonds lie had paid for had been lying in the County Treasurer's Ofiice for 
the past four years. Mr. Lapham said that he liad no recollection of subscribing 
for any bonds, nor of advancing $10,000 for them. Mr. Hubbard said to him 
that the Treasurer stated that these bonds were his. and. if they belonged to him, 
of course he wanted them. Mr. Laph.im said yes. if they were his, he wanted 
them. Mr. ITubbard suggested that if he. Mr. l.a]ihani. would give an order 



iiisroRv or sK.iMi.irr.LF.s. i^s 

and sii::!! a receipt for thcin, lie wuiiliJ ulitain them fmiu tlie Treasurer, which 
Mr. Lapham consented to do. Consequently Mr. Laphain caiuc into possession 
of $10,000 of Onondaga County honds. 

After the decease of tiie late Russell I'rost. in i8<i5, .Mr. Lapliain made a 

iitract with a village mechanic to huilil several banis and other buildings on 

tiie farm of Russell I-'rost. The omtractor commenced to work soon after, and 



alter the frames had been set up Mr. I^ipham, noticing the work, asked what was 
being done. In reply he was told that the liarns which he had ordereil were 
being constructed. He immediately replied that he had jiot ordered any barns, 
and would not j)ay for them. The mechanic kept on working on the plan given 
by Mr. Lapham, and, about two weeks after. Mr. Lapham came and asked 
further questions, and it finally came to his mind that he had ordered the work, 
and was much pleased, and told the mechanic that it was all right, and that he 
wouhl j)ay when the work was completed. 



326 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

CHAPTER XXII. 
Early Physicians and Local History. 

Samuel Porter. — Dr. Samuel Porter was born at Williamstown, Mass., 
April i6, 1778, where his father was a physician and surgeon. He entered the 
first freshman class of Williams College, but left it on account of ill health, and 
subsequently received from that institution the honorary degree of Master of 
Arts. He finished his medical studies at the age of twenty-one, and removed to 
Skaneateles. This was after Dr. Munger had removed to Wellington. He prac- 
tised here and in the surrounding country for more than forty years. He was 
possessed of wonderful courage, and acquired a great reputation as a surgeon. 
Probably no physician of that early day had a more extensive ride than Dr. 
Porter. 

Isaac Benedict. — Dr. Isaac Benedict was a practising physician in the town 
of Skaneateles in 1806, and was a regular member of the County Society, to 
which he was elected in 1813. 

Samuel Benedict. — Dr. Samuel Benedict is on record as having practised 
hereabout in 1806. He had a nephew named Peter Benedict. 

William Pratt. — Dr. William Pratt was a practising physician here in 
1807-8, as his name appears on the old ledgers as having made his purchases 
from our merchants. 

David Kingsbury. — Dr. David Kingsbury practised medicine about this sec- 
tion of country for many years. He was born in the year 1777, and his residence 
was located where Clintonville is now. He was contemporary with Dr. Samuel 
Porter and Dr. Munger. He died March 7, 1841, in the sixty-fourth year of his 
age. He practised in the town of Marcellus about forty years. 

Jonathan Hall. — Dr. Jonathan Hall is on record as being one of the early 
physicians in Skaneateles as early as 1796. He was contemporary with Dr. 
Samuel Porter and Dr. Munger. The latter practised not only as a physician, 
but taught school also in 1797. 

Dr. Pierce. — Dr. Pierce is known to have practised in this section of the 
town in 1816. He purchased his supplies here, as his name appears on many 
old ledgers and account-books of Skaneateles merchants. 

Judah B. Hopkins. — Dr. Judah B. Hopkins was born December 23, 1787, 
and died October 7, 1837. He was a native of New England, and came to this 
town some time before 1806. His first residence in this village was in a story- 
and-a-half house which was on the Mrs. Shuttleworth lot, on the south side of 
Onondaga Street. In the course of his long residence in Skaneateles he obtained 
an extensive practise in the village and surrounding country, was very popular, 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 3^7 

and liad a great reputation, not only as a physician, but as a surgeon, being 
frequently called in consultation on occasions when all other practitioners were 
at a loss for the proper treatment of special cases of disease. 

Evelyn H. Porter. — Dr. Evelyn H. Porter was born in 1801, and died here 
in October, 1875. He was the eldest son of Dr. Samuel Porter. He commenced 
the practise of medicine and surgery in 1830, which continued until his death. 
He exhibited excellent judgment in the discrimination of diseases. At an early 
age, in 1816, the smallpox suddenly appeared at Marcellus. At that time, when 
sixteen years of age, he was attending school there, and on the alarm occasioned 
by the smallpox went immediately home. His father. Dr. Samuel Porter, a 
stirring, energetic man in his profession, at once vaccinated him, and when the 
vaccination had run its course sent his son back to Marcellus to Dr. Bildad Beach, 
with instructions that young Evelyn be placed in the Pest House, there to be in- 
oculated for the smallpox, and to remain the appointed time. Dr. Beach acted 
in accordance with these instructions, and young Evelyn Porter, after living 
three or four weeks in the filth of the Pest House, came out as unharmed and 
unsullied as though he had been a piece of marble. 

MicH.XFX D. Benedict. — Dr. Michael D. Benedict was born in Danbury, 
Conn., January 21, 1814, and died at Syracuse January 7, 1885. His education 
was obtained in the common schools and Danbury Academy. After studying 
his profession and taking a course of lectures in the Medical Department of Yale, 
he began practise in New Haven, Conn., where he continued until 1838. He then 
removed to Skaneateles, and during the succeeding twenty-five years was en- 
gaged in a large and successful practise in that village, became very popular, and 
was quite successful in the treatment of disease. He built the two-story frame 
dwelling house next north of the Skaneateles Academy, which is now owned and 
occupied by J. E. Waller, and which has since been enlarged and otherwise im- 
proved. In September, 1861, he entered the army as Surgeon of the Seventy- 
fifth New York Volunteers, and was mustered out in December, 1864. He was 
soon after appointed medical officer of the Sanitary Commission, and stationed 
at Washington until September, 1865, when he settled in Syracuse, and con- 
tinued in active practise as long as his health permitted. He joined the County 
Medical Society in 1869, and was its President in 1870. As a physician he was 
among the foremost, and as a man and gentleman was respected for his lovable, 
kind, and amiable qualities by all who knew him. His first office was on the 
second floor, over Field & Kellogg's harness-shop. 

P. Oscar C. Benson. — Dr. P. Oscar C. Benson was born in Owasco, Cayuga 
County, June 19, 1839. He was brought up on a farm, where he remained until 
1837, when at the age of eighteen he commenced his seminary course of study at 
Cazenovia. After completing his studies he entered the New York College 
of Homeopathy, from which he graduated in 1S65. He commenced his medical 
practise at Springfield, Mass., where he remained one year. The death of his 
mother in i860 called him from Springfield to be nearer his father, and he settled 



328 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

and coninienced practise in Skaneateles, which continued successfully for about 
twenty-four years, during which time he obtained an extensive general practise, 
which he acquired by patient effort, careful and loving attention, and that skill 
and knowledge which commanded popular conhdence. He was a keen observer, 
progressive and a deep thinker, beloved Ijy his patients, and conscientious in all 
his efforts to subdue disease. Besides being a prominent physician, he was a 
representative citizen. About six years previous to his death he was a member 
of the Board of Education, and for more than two years its President. His 
death occurred January 25, 1890, and was an unusually sad one. Another phy- 
sician, who had several obstetrical cases just at that time in view, requested Dr. 
Benson to attend one of them. He did so, and about midnight, after he attended 
to the patient, he complained of being ill, and he was requested to lie down on a 
lounge, which he did for two hours, after which he complained of pain in his 
head, and remarked that he could not live unless help came. The physician for 
whom he was acting was immediately summoned, but when he arrived Dr. Ben- 
son had passed away. 

Levi t. Bartlett. — Dr. Levi T. Bartlett was born in Warren, N. H., October 
4, 1806, and was a grandson of Joshua Bartlett, one of the signers of the Declara- 
tion of Independence. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1827, studied 
medicine, and located in Skaneateles in 1838. There he practised nearly fifty 
years, acquiring a large practise and gaining a high reputation for skill and 
integrity. He w-as compelled to relinquish practise eight years prior to his 
death on account of failing health. He died June 22, 1892. 

L. Parksei.l. — Dr. L. Paresell advertised in the first newspaper, the Telegraph, 
printed in the village. The advertisement reads as follows: 

" Dr. L. Paresell would respectfully inform the citizens of Skaneateles and its 
vicinity, that he has opened an office in the house of t "aldwell & Wallis, The Skan- 
eateles Hotel, where he will attend to all calls in the line of his Profession. 

"Dated Skane.\teees, July 29, 1829." 

George T. Campbell. — Dr. George T. Campbell was born in Camillus, Oc- 
tober 13, 1826, and came to Skaneateles in 1858, where he commenccil the practise 
of medicine, and at the same time carried on a drug-store in the village. In 
1885 he sold out his drug business, and devoted himself entirely to his extended 
practise, until failing health compelled him to retire. Besides being a physician 
of great reputation, he was a representative citizen, having been President of the 
Onondaga Medical Society for several years. Supervisor of the town, and a mem- 
ber and President of the Skaneateles Board of Education. He died at Skan- 
eateles of a distressing incurable disease, February 11, 1882. 

Hammond, Earll, and Gorton. — The latter physicians, all of whom have 
passed over to the majority, were: Dr. Alexander Hammond, who besides his 
practise had a drug-store in the village ; Dr. George W. Earll, and Dr. Gorton. 

F. Harvey Lester. — Dr. V. Harvey Lester was born at Xew Hope, Cayuga 
County, N. Y., November lo, iS-u, where he passed his early boyhood days. 



fllSrORV OF SK.IMLITELES. 



329 



\\ lien all. Hit tliirteon years of age, liis parents removed to Auluirii, X. \ ., where 
for a time he attended the High School. After three years" schooling, lie went 
back to New Hope, and went to work on a farm, economizing and saving all the 
money he earned, and teaching tiie district school during the winter. His aim 
was to obtain a medical education, and with that in view he saved all that he 
earned by hard labor, and, when he considered that he had sufficient money on 
hand, he made a start by reading medicine with Dr. 1 ri])p. of Kelloggsville, after 




THE HEAD OF SKANEATELES LAKE. 
ii» i« the extreme itoiith end. and la Ihe only pari of the Ijikc where ther 
portions of which may be seen above the nurfacc of the water. Ulcn Hn 
on the opposite shore. 



which he entered the University of the City of New York, (irailu.um- with 
hi>nnr in 1883, he returne<l ti> Kelloggsville. remained there a short time, then 
came to Skaneateles, an entire stranger, without consulting the resilient members 
of the profession. He hired an oftice in the sect)nd story of the Shear Block, 
which office was at the end of a long cntryway. and very inconvenient in every 
respect for his business. A friend, an entire stranger to him. who !ia<l learned 
of his locating in the village, called to make his acrpiaintancc. and to render all 
assistance possible to a newcomer. This friend found him in his sparsely fur- 



330 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

nished room, in which were a cheap pine bedstead, a common chair, a pine wash- 
stand, and no carpet on the floor. Dr. Lester stated to this friend that he had 
come to Skaneateles to stay. The friend then assured him that he would do all 
in his power to assist him, and also said to him that he must secure a more 
convenient office. After Dr. Lester had been there a few months, he went 
to see this friend to ask his advice, saying that he could get a half of Dr. 
Ingerson's office for fifty dollars a year, and he could get Dr. Campbell's office 
for one hundred dollars a year, and wished to be informed which one he 
should take. His friend said : " Take the Campbell office, by all means. You 
want to be directly on the street, no matter what rent you have to pay." Dr. 
Lester rented the Dr. Campbell office, and it was not long before he began 
to have a considerable practise, so much so as to cause alarm among the 
regular professionals of the village. In consequence, some of them commenced 
a " boycott," resulting in disgraceful stories being circulated about Dr. Lester, 
which were intended to disgrace him particularly among ladies. One of the 
resident physicians personally told Dr. Lester that he ought to commence 
doctoring among the Irish down the outlet, and gradually work himself up 
toward the village. This was the spirit with which his locating here was viewed 
by the profession in the village. Dr. Lester kept obtaining new patients, and 
he became very successful in the treatment of disease. He was a deep thinker, 
an untiring worker, endowed with sound common sense, a keen observer, and 
thus he represented the best type of a general practitioner. Trusted by his 
patients, he deserved their confidence. He was progressive, yet conservative, 
earnest, and thoroughly conscientious in his work. He became very popular, 
despite the disgraceful rumors set afloat by his professional brethren in the village, 
which seemingly had no effect on the community at large. His practise soon 
began to become very extensive. His medical and surgical library was of the 
most recent editions, the best that could be obtained, without reference to cost, 
and he had the best of general medical literature. His aptitude was for more' 
extensive knowledge, and it was for that reason that he went abroad, to Europe, 
to Germany, where the highest class of medical authority was to be obtained. 
In 1 89 1 he relinquished his extensive practise here, went to Germany, and im- 
mediately after his arrival there he at once entered on a course of special study 
at Heidelberg, on the Rhine. After its completion he went to Berlin, and entered 
on a course of advanced study. His energy in his work there and his determina- 
tion to succeed seemingly affected his brain, which caused an illness of only a 
few days' duration, from which he lost consciousness, and never recovered. He 
died April 7, 1892. His remains were brought home, and the interment took 
place in the Benson Street Cemetery, April 25, 1892. 

An Interesting Fragment of Early History. — The Revolutionary soldier 
to whom was allotted Military Lot No. 35 was Kenneth Campbell, in the year 
179 1. He sold it to Abraham Hardenburgh, February 5, 1792, for thirteen 
shillings. Hardenburgh afterward sold it to Moses De Witt for three hundred 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 33^ 

pounds. Tliis currency was not sterling, but tlie pounds at that period were 
twenty shillings of twelve and a half cents each, established by a law of Congress. 
Thayer. — Mr. Thayer was the artist who painted the portrait of Charles L. 
Elliott now in the Skaneateles Library. His mother married John D. Ford, who 
lived in the tenant-house of William S. Briggs. Artist Thayer was the head 
painter of Hall & Porter's (Gurdon Porter) carriage-shop. John Legg made a 
very stylish covered sleigh for Eastern parties, and employed artist Thayer to 
paint a handsome design on the back of the sleigh. This was previous to Charles 
L. Elliott's residence here. 

Miscellaneous Fragments of History. — Two men named Crawford were 
stone and brick masons here in 1830. They built the first two brick stores in the 
village, for Richard Talcott and Stephen Horton, in the year 1830. 

Nelson Hawley was originally a clerk for Stephen Horton before he embarked 
in business for himself. 

Melsey Ann Allen, daughter of Attorney Allen, at an early time resided in 
State Street in this village. 

The story-and-a-half house now or formerly occupied by Mrs. Tucker, on 
the north side of Academy Street, was originally built on the site of the R. B. 
Wheeler residence. It was removed to its present location by J. Gurdon Porter 
about the year 1838, when he was about to erect the Wheeler house. 

Rowland Day, a merchant here in 1806, was at one time associated with Nor- 
man Leonard in business. 

Moses B. Dunning was at one time a clerk for John Legg. 
Harrison B. Dodge — How He First became Editor of the Skaneateles 
Democrat. — The Skaneateles Democrat was first started by William M. Beau- 
champ, January 3. 1840. About 1844, E. Sherman Keeney became the editor and 
proprietor, and a few years later was succeeded by William H. Jewett. He soon 
sold out to Jonathan C. Keeney. William H. Jewett was interested in the 
Democrat becoming a Democratic organ, and, as Keeney desired to sell out his 
proprietorship, Jewett proposed to Harrison B. Dodge to assume the editorship, 
with Jewett's assistance. Dodge did not feel capable, his vocation being a silver- 
plater for the carriage manufacturers in the village. Finally, through the persua- 
sion of Mr. Jewett, he made the attempt, an<l took possession of the Democrat 
April I, 1849. William H. Jewett was the active editor until H. B. Dodge 
became more familiar with the work, and has since been the editor and proprietor. 
In March, 1853, he purchased the good-will and business of the Skaneateles 
Columbian, and consolidated the two offices. H. B. Dodge continued the pro- 
prietorship and editorship of the Democrat until January i, 1890, when he leased 
the paper and business to William T. Hall, who died May 3, 1897, after an illness 
of only a few hours, aged thirty-five years. The Democrat then not having an 
editor, it was kept going by a few volunteers for a short time, when it was leased 
to a man by the name of Ackles, who from a want of knowledge and experience 
soon spoiled the journal's old reputation, and after that this reputable standard 



Z3,2 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

newspaper became extinct. Harrison B. Dodge died November 22, 1898, from 
the effects of general debility, at the age of eighty-seven years. He was the first 
editor in the vihage who introduced local subjects of interest in the columns of his 
paper, seeking subjects of interest personally, and editorially making a note of 
them. The Columbian, which preceded the Democrat, seldom or never published 
local news of any kind. Its columns were filled with items clipped from its 
exchanges. The only real local matter was the advertisements, and these now. 
after many years, serve to indicate the names of our ancestral business men, all 
or nearly all of whom have passed away. Harrison B. Dodge had always been a 
citizen in the ordinary sense of the word. Every plan that was set on foot for the 
betterment of either town or village found in him a hearty sympathy with its 
advancement. He took a keen interest in the advancement of the community, 
and his advocacy of all matters of public importance was effective through the 
columns of the Democrat. He possessed a genial kindness of nature and a keen 
sense of humor which made his intercourse with his fellow men enjoyable. He 
took and retained warm friend.ships, and enjoyed the full confidence and respect of 
citizens of all classes. There is a very general regret expressed by the subsoriberi 
of the old Skaneateles Democrat that it should not have been continued by some 
enterprising party, and thus kept up to its original standard. 

Origin of the Village Fire Dep.a.rtment. — The subject of fire extinguish- 
ment was considered long before the incorporation of the village, which was in 
1833, and in that act provision was made for an organized department, and very 
soon afterward l-'ire Engine Company No. i was formed. The first record of its 
actual existence, however, appears in the Skaneateles Columbian of February 20, 
1835, when James Gurdon Porter as Foreman, and G. W. Waring as Secretary, 
called a meeting for March 4, 1835, ^^ t'^c tavern of I. W. Perry. It is certain, 
also, that a second company flourished at this time or shortly afterward. In 1858, 
w'hcn there were a fire company and a hose company, new life was infused into the 
department, and on March 14, 1866, the whole department was reorganized with 
forty-eight members, and with Jeremiah Siiallish as Chief Engineer. Thomas 
Kelley was Foreman of the I'ire Company, and Henry 1). Huxford commanded 
the Hose Company, i'robalily the earliest fire-engine used in the village was an 
old "goose-neck" machine, n(iw in possession of the deiJarlnient. .\1k)UI 1836 
or 1857, a hand engine was purchased Ijy the village Trustees, and is still ready 
for emergencies. Since the introduction of the present water works hose alone 
is and has been employed, the pressure from the reservoir being ample to throw 
streams of water over the highest of the business buildings. Before 1861 under- 
ground reservoirs had been constructed for fire purposes on East Genesee Street 
and on the Academy 'orner, but neither of them was ever made use of. The fire 
department now consists of about sixty memlicrs, organized into two hose com- 
panies and a hook and ladder company. 

The greatest fire of importance with which the village was visited, and which 
the early fire department was calletl ui)an to try to extinguish, was the disastrous 



///5rOA')' OP SKAKEATELES. m 

c<.>ntlagratioii of September 28, 1835, which coiisunicd thiricen frame stores, car- 
riage and cabinet sliops, comprising the principal liusiness i)orlion of the village, 
the details of which, and tlie losses incurred, will be found in another chapter. 
With characteristic energy- the lot-owners constructed new brick buildings in 
nearly every instance, and those structures were built in such manner to prevent 
a tire from spreading by having heavy division walls which extended above the 
roofs. 

The next serious fire occurred February 4, 1842, when Hurasius Kollogg's 
woolen mills, employing about sixty-five hands, Spencer Hannum's machine- 
shop, and Earll, Kellogg & Co.'s flouring mill and storehouse were destroyed, 
causing a total loss of $43,000. Karll, Kellogg & Co. rebuilt the grist-mill and 
placed it in operation early in 1843. On the site of Kellogg's woolen factory 
Spencer Ilannum erected a foundry, which was destroyed by fire Januarv C\. 1850. 

\".\I.UABLE FlI.KS nr \jnW. l'\ .■Kl<> — TIr- |..11..«'; , '' . ^ '■ AMMl.rr. liav 




been collected, bound, and presented to the Skaneaieles Lilirary .Association by 
E. X. Leslie, of this village, and are now in the Library : 

Skaneateles Coliiiiibiaii, one volume, from 1834 to 1853, very imperl'ect. 

Skaiieateles Democrat, eleven volumes, all very imjierfect — 1843 to 1848, 18417 
to 1851, 1832 to 1856, 1859 to 1861, 1863 to i8fK>, 1864 to iSr^i. iS-M 1,, iS-:;. 
1 87 1 to 1873, 1857 to 1869, 1876 to 1878, and 1879 to 1880. 

One volume of miscellaneous, local, and neighborhood paper,*-. 

The following volumes have just been received from the bookbintlcr ,iiid h.nc 
not as yet been placed in the Library, but are at Mr. Leslie's oftice : 

One volume of the New ^'(lrk Weekly Joiinuil of Commerce, from ( )ctober 
30, 1889, to December 30, 1891. This volume is complete. 

Seven volumes of the Skaneateles Coliiihbiaii, dating from 1830 to March 24, 
1853. This series is almost complete and is very valuable. 

Four volumes of the Skaneateles Pemocrul, dating from 1844 to i8(')9, but very 
incomplete. The period which is nui.st valuable is contained in the volume from 
1863 to iSfrT), containing but thirty-seven papers, whereas to be perfect within 
those dates there should be 327 papers. 



334 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Nine volumes of the Skaneateles Free Press — a complete file from the com- 
mencement, and all in perfect order without mutilation — March 21, 1874, to Jan- 
uary I, 1892. 

All these comprise thirty-four volumes, which have been collprted from 
various sources for many years past by Mr. Leslie, and were carefully put in order 
for the binder, the expense of binding costing $2 per volume, which has been paid 
by him. All the above will find a place in the Skaneateles Library Association, 
thanks to Mr. Leslie's generosity. 

A Beautiful Memorial Tablet. — E. N. Leslie has placed on the east wall 
of the interior of St. James' Church, in this village, a beautiful memorial tablet 
to the memory of the sons of that church who lost their lives in the defense of the 
Union. The tablet is forty-two by twenty-eight inches, and is made of heavy 
brass plate, upon which the lettering of the inscription is placed in black and red 
enameled letters, with a very neat border of oak and holly leaves. The brass plate 
is bolted to a black marble back, which shows a chamfered edge of two to two and 
one-half inches, and all securely fastened in the wall. The inscriptions are as 
follows : 
To THE Glory of God, and in Memory of the Sons of St. James' Church 

WHO LOST their LIVES IN DEFENCE OF THE UnION. 

Lieutenant Benjamin H. Porter, U. S. N. Killed at the storming of Fort 

Fisher, Va., January 15, 1865. Aged 21 years. 
2d Lieutenant Stanley Porter, N. Y. Vol. Mortally wounded at Bull Run, Va., 

Aug. 30, 1862. Aged 20 years. 
Private Albert De Cost Burnett, N. Y. Vol. Died at Harrison's Landing, Va., 

Aug. 4, 1862. Aged 16 years. 
Private William H. Baber, N. Y. Vol. Died from the efJects of exposure 

April 8, 1865. Aged 26 years. 
Private Wadsworth B. Francis, N. Y. Vol. Killed at the storming of Port 

Hudson, Miss., June 14, 1863. Aged 51 years. 
Private Samuel Francis, Wisconsin Vol. Died at Alexandria, Va., Sept. i, 

1862. Aged 57 years. 
The workmanship on the tablet in all its details is of the finest kind, and it is 
truly a work of art. Mr. Leslie has spared no expense in erecting this beautiful 
memorial to the sons of the church, and we wish others would show as much 
respect for those who helped save our Union and see to it that a Soldiers' Monu- 
ment worthy of our town be reared to their honored memory. 

The Baidwinsville Gazette printed the following statement in their issue of 
the time: 

" Mr. E. N. Leslie has placed a brass tablet in St. James' Church, Skaneateles, 
as a memorial of six Union soldiers and sailors, members of the congregation. 
He has also presented thirty-four bound volumes of local papers to the Skaneateles 
Library. He likes to do just such things." 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 335 

SuNDAV-ScHOOL CELEBRATION. — Tlic following program of the celebration of 
Fourth of July, 1832, by the Sunday-School of St. James' Church, was carried 
out with great enthusiasm : 

FIFTY-SIXTH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE. 
Skaneateles, July 4, 1832. 

Washington — The Father of his Country — Born 1732 — Died 1799 — Aged 68 years. — " First 
in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." 

Robert Raikes — The Founder of Sunday-Schools — at Gloucester, England, 1782. — " The 
righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance." 

Sunday-School Celebration. 

ORDER OF exercises AT THE CHURCH. 

Prayer. 

Address to Parents and Guardians by Rev. Mr. Clark. 

Ode. 

Columbia I A lovely clime ! 

'Tis the high place of Freedom's birth ! 
God of our fathers, make it thine — 

A holy clime — the joy of earth ! 

Thy glorious name, on golden lyres. 

Strike all the tuneful choirs above I 
And boundless nature's realms conspire 

To celebrate thy matchless love 1 

I would not change my native land 

For rich Peru with all her gold I 
A nobler prize lies in my hand 

Than East or Western Indies hold! 

O King of saints I O Triune God! 

Bow the high heavens and lend thine ear : 
Oh! make this land thy fixed abode, 

And let the Heavenly Dove rest here I 

John W. Livingston. — John W. Livingston was an early owner of the Dyer 
Brainerd Farm, on the East Lake Road. He was appointed United States Mar- 
shal for the Northern District of the State of New York in the year 1822. He 
came here in 1815, and was a resident for many years. His wife was the daughter 
of Lieutenant-Governor John Broome, who held that office in 1804. This lady 
brought with her from Albany an elegant pianoforte that her father had imported 
from London, England. It was at the time of its importation one of the finest 
instruments in the city of Albany. Mrs. Livingston after making her home 
here in Skaneateles enjoyed playing her piano, for she was a skilful performer. 
Taking an interest in the daughter of her father's family physician, she proposed 
to Dr. Hopkins to instruct her in the use of the piano, to which assent was given. 



336 HISTORY OP SKAXEATELES. 

In the course of time the daughter became very proficient, and at the time the 
Livingston family were about to remove from Skaneateles Airs. Livingston, 
having become much interested in the advancement and excellent proficiency of 
Aliss Hopkins in the use of the instrument, made her a present of this elegant 
pianoforte. She is now the widow of the late Dr. Levi T. Bartlett of this village, 
and has taken unusual care of the instrument ever since, and it is in the same con- 
dition it was when she received it from the donor. It is undoubtedly the most 
ancient pianoforte now in the County of Onondaga! 

The Jerome Family. — Although the Jeromes were not of Skaneateles, yet 
the name has been more or less connected with the early days of Skaneateles. 
The Jeromes originated as very early settlers in the town of Pompey. John 
Jerome was elected a trustee of the first Religious Congregational Society of Pom- 
pey in the year 1800 and 1801. This Society held their services in barns, dwell- 
ings, and schoolhouses. The Pompey Jeromes were farmers, who made a spe- 
cialty of making large quantities of most excellent cheese every year. Their 
cheese had a great reputation all over this section of the State. Much of it was 
brought here for sale to Skaneateles dealers. Addison and Leonard H. Jerome 
were residents in Skaneateles many years ago. Addison was a clerk for Phares 
Gould about the year 1828, and Leonard H. Jerome studied law in the office of 
John C. Beach in this place. Both Addison and Leonard H. while here boarded 
with the late Nehemiah Smith, about the year 1839. It is, therefore, through 
the Jerome family that Lady Randolph Churchill is in a manner identified with 
Skaneateles. She has never been here, but her father, Leonard H. Jerome's 
brother, Addison, was Lady Churchill's own paternal uncle. Addison Jerome 
died in the city of New York, December 30, 1864, aged fifty-three years. His. 
wife was the daughter of Phares Gould, and visited Skaneateles many times 
during her life. 

The L.\ke House. — The Lake House, which has been known by this name 
to the later inhabitants of both town and village, was erected in the year 1824-25 
by David Hall. The builders were Peter Thompson and John Billings. Its 
first name was " The Skaneateles Hotel," and its first landlords were the firm of 
S. & J. Hall, who were succeeded by Caldwell & Wallis. Its name afterward 
was changed to " The Indian Queen," in 1835, a"<^l 'ts landlord was then Isaac 
W. Perry. The next landlord was H. W. Allen, who held it in 1837, and was 
followed by Smith & Harvey in 1840. It was enlarged in 1858, and for many 
years contained the only public hall in the village. After the year 1840 the name 
was changed to " The Lake House." It occupied the site of the present Shear 
Block, built in 1881-82, on the corner of Genesee and Jordan streets. The Lake 
House was totally destroyed by fire July 19, 1870. A cut is shown opposite. 

Mrs. Elizabeth T. Porter Beach. — Mrs. Elizabeth T. Porter Beach was the 
daughter of James Porter, an early settler of this village and a very prominent 
citizen as an attorney and merchant. Mrs. Beach was also a granddaughter of 
William J. Vredenburg, known as an early and prominent settler, who built that 



HISTORY OF SKASEATELES. 



iil 



noble Colonial mansion, the only one of its cliaracter in this village. A native 
of Skaneateles, Mrs. Beach attained considerable distinction in literature. She 
wrote " Pelayo: An Epic of the Olden Moorish Time," in recognition of which 
the Queen of Spain sent her one of her own bracelets, mounted with an Oriental 
topaz, on which was the royal monogram set in diamonds. The Empress Eugenie 
also sent lur a s^'-old niod.il, mu tl'.e (iIivitm- siilc nf which was the I-'nipress' own 










THE OLD LAKE HOUSE. 
The original Frnmc Tavern, built by David Hall in 1834. (Sec page 336.) 

head, and on the reverse side the following inscription: " To Mistress Elizabeth 
T. Porter Beach." 

The following editorial reference to Mrs. Beach was printed in the Skan- 
rateles Democrat of July 12, 1866: 

" The author of ' Pelayo,' Mrs. Elizabeth T. Porter Beach, is constantly 
receiving evidence of the regard in which her accomplished pen is held by an 
appreciative public. The epic poem above alluded to has been adopted as a text- 
book in the Packer Institute, Brooklyn, N. Y., and several other seminaries. 
The scene of this poem, it will be remembered, is laid in Spain, and so charmingly 
and skilfully did the author accomplish her task in graceful rhyme that the Queen 
'if Spain and the Empress of France both showed their appreciation of it by send- 
ing truly royal presents to Mrs. Beach. Our town readers will learn with pleasure 
nf this new tribute to the merits of ' Pelayo.' No longer will it be only read in 
the drawing-room, but will hereafter be studied in the schoolroom." 



338 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Mrs. Beach wrote the following lyric : 

"The Last Broadside." 

The following lines were written upon hearing of the heroism of the crew of the frigate 
Cumberland, in the engagement at Hampton Roads, who bravely fired a last " broadside " 
while the ship was sinking, in compliance with the order of their commanding officer, the 
gallant hero, Lieutenant Morris: "Shall we give them a broadside as she goes?" 

" Shall we give them a broadside, my boys, as she goes ? 
Shall we send yet another to tell. 
In iron-tongued words, to Columbia's foes. 
How bravely her sons say ' Farewell ' ? 

"Aye! what though we sink 'neath the turbulent wave, 
'Tis with DUTY and right at the helm I 
And over the form should the fierce waters rave. 
No tide can the spirit o'erwhelm I 

" For swift o'er the billows of Charon's dark stream 
We'll pass to the immortal shore, 
Where the ' waters of life ' in brilliancy beam. 
And the pure float in peace evermore! 

" Shall we give them a broadside once more, my brave men ? " 

" Aye, aye ! " rose the full, earnest cry. 
" A broadside ! A broadside we'll give them again I 

Then for God and the Right nobly die ! " 

"Haste! haste!" For amid all that battling din 
Comes a gurgling sound fraught with fear, 
As swift-flowing waters pour rushingly in. 
Up ! up ! till her portholes they near. 

No blenching! No faltering! Still fearless all seem. 

Each man firm to duty doth bide. 
A flash ! and a " Broadside ! " A shout ! A careen ! 

And the Cumberland sinks 'neath the tide! 

The " Star-Spangled Banner " still floating above, 

As a beacon upon the dark wave! 
Or Ensign of Glory, proud streaming in love. 

O'er the tomb of the " Loyal and Brave ! " 

Bold hearts ! Mighty spirits ! " Tried gold " of our land ! 

A halo of glory your meed ! 
AH honored, the noble-souled Cumberland band ! 

So true in Columbia's need! 

The above were not her only writings, but these are the most prominent tliat 
can here be presented. 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

Enrolment List of Skaneateles. 

Provost Marshal's Office, 

Twenty-third DiSTRicr, State of New York, 

Syracuse, December 2, 1863. 

LIST OF MEN ENROLLED IN SUB-DISTRICT NO. 24, 

In the Twenty-third District of New York, composed of the Town of 
Skaneateles. 

First Class, Twenty to Thirty-five Years. 



age 

Adams, Frank 20 

Austin, Frank E 26 

Amos, Stephen 29 

Adams, Emerson H 25 

Albring, Charles 26 

Albring, Jerome 24 

Adams, Joseph 21 

Bradley, Horace 34 

Brenan, John 23 

Brooks, George 25 

Barnable, John 27 

Bell, Robert 22 

Babcock, William H 23 

Barrow, George 24 

Barber, Manford 20 

Benson, P. Oscar 22 

Branch, Caleb A 31 

Burch, .Xbram 20 

Brown, David C. P 22 

Bailey, Price W 27 

Bartley, Joseph D 24 

Bartlett, Edward T 22 

Bimill, Horace 21 

Bush, Harrison 23 



AGE 

Buston, Thomas 21 

Bean, Eben 34 

Benedict, Thomas A 30 

Burston, Henry 23 

Bassctt, Joseph 34 

Badman, James 23 

Birch, Warren 27 

Badman, William 20 

Bradford, Gilbert C 32 

Burrows, Charles 32 

Bassett, Thomas 29 

Baker, William 26 

Brock, William 26 

Bun, William N 31 

Burns, Dennis 20 

Burch, Alexander 23 

Bradley, Peter 30 

Britt, Thomas 26 

Benedict, Sidney L 33 

Burgess, Edwin 27 

Burgess, Herbert 29 

Burgess, Valentine 31 

Blodgctt, J. L 21 

Byrnes, Thomas 34 

Bell, James 24 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



AGE 

Clark, Charles 34 

Cuddeback, Alfred 33 

Clark, Arthur ' 25 

Curtis, John P 30 

Carpenter, Charles L 25 

Clapp, Joseph 26 

Cooper, James 24 

Cole, William 30 

Cole, Charles 25 

Cuykendall, Elias 31 

Cawley, James 29 

Clark, Joseph 34 

Canan, Michael 21 

Corway, James 31 

Cottle, William 34 

Curtis, George D 25 

Cullen, Francis 21 

Chrysler, Henry 20 

Carroll, Timothy 24 

Caxton, William 20 

Cuddeback, E. Gurdnn 29 

Chase, Charles 29 

Coon, William H 21 

Cleaveland, Hubbard W 21 

Canable, Andrew 20 

Church, David S 23 

Cook, Mahalon 32 

Clark, Perry 28 

Chatfield, Clark 34 

Clary, Michael 28 

Cook, Sidney 22 

Chase, Martin 34 

Custin, Patrick 20 

Degan, Dennis 29 

Dunham, Dwight 26 

Dewitt, Andrus 27 

Day, John M 22 

Dodge, Harrison 23 

Daniels, Spencer H 31 

De Witt, Martin 23 

De Witt, Charles W., Jr 22 



AGE 

Davenport, Charles 28 

Dougherty, John H 27 

Dwyer, Patrick 33 

Doriohen, Timothy 30 

De Witt, Hiram 31 

De Witt, Hiram V. B 22 

Dove, Thomas 22 

Dye, William W 23 

Dye, Charles H 26 

Dalton, William 22 

Duckins, Patrick 28 

De Groot, Gabriel 32 

Daniels, Willard W 28 

Doharty, Michael 24 

Edwards, Albert L. . .- 22 

Enos, John 32 

Earll, George W 27 

Elsore, Charles 21 

Eggleston, Theodore 33 

Earll, George H 34 

Earll, Augustus P 33 

Earll, Leonard H 31 

Earll, Andrew J 25 

Earll, Clarence M 23 

England, Charles 24 

Freelaiid, Willis 23 

Fowler, Thomas 23 

Fowler, George 30 

Fowler, Augustus 21 

Fox, Morrison 2t 

Fibbciis, Elias 29 

l-'isher, Edward 27 

Fisher, John 24 

Fisher, Joseph 29 

Fisher, Isaac 26 

l'"argctty, Martin 25 

I'oster, Charles 33 

Foster, John A ' 27 

Ferley. James D 22 

Fix, Rudolph H 35 

Fisher, George 40 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 



AGE 

Greenway, Peter 26 

Greenway, Sebastian 22 

Gibbons, Worthy 30 

Graham, William 34 

Godwin, Edward M 20 

Gregory, George A 20 

Gregory, John H 30 

Gregory, John E 23 

Goodyear, Albert 21 

Gillett, Edwin H 24 

Greenman, Beach 29 

Gennings, Christopher 20 

Gonsallus, Isaac 31 

Ganley, John R 24 

Goodgraw, William 22 

Gambel, John 25 

Gregg, John 28 

Giles, Marcus A 25 

Giles, William J 22 

Granger, Leonard 24 

Galligan, Patrick 30 

Godfrey, Michael 32 

Gager, George H 27 

Probably Yager. 

Hatch, Asa W 34 

Hanis, Thomas W 20 

Haight, Charles U 21 

Haight, Arthur 31 

Haws, William 27 

Horle, Job 25 

Hall, John C 20 

Hearse, James 31 

Hcmcnway, George R 23 

Harris, Philip 28 

Huxford, Henr)' D 27 

Hubbard, Henry J 23 

Hall, Lyman 27 

Home, Edward 23 

Houragan, John 22 

Hough, Thomas 21 

Hough, Hiram 23 



AGE 

Harvey, Isaac M 33 

Hunsicker, Thomas J 23 

Hamlin, George A 32 

Horsington, Arthur 25 

Hewitt, Henry 30 

Henderson, Cornelius 34 

Harwood, Mortimer 33 

Hill, John 26 

Harwood, Alanson C 21 

Holmes, Cyrus D 33 

Hefty, John 32 

Horll, George 36 

Harwood, Herbert 20 

Isom, Thomas, Jr 33 

Ingalls, Jasper E 21 

Irish, Jedediah 31 

Jay, John D 20 

Joyce, Clement 20 

Jackson, Andrew 34 

Jennings, Isaac 25 

Jones, Charles 31 

J , John 30 

Kedder, Woodsworth 27 

Kellogg, William W 24 

Kelley, Thomas 34 

Kelly, Daniel 28 

Krebs, Charles 33 

Kenyan, Jonathan 29 

Kilbourn, Lucien F 34 

Knowles, George 30 

Kctchum, Levi B 33 

Le Fever, Silas J 28 

Leitch, D. Kellogg 28 

IxKimis, Jcssee 31 

Lewis, John W 30 

Livingston, Nathaniel M 31 

Lc Fevrc, Aaron 23 

Lawton, Edwin F 31 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



AGE 

Le Fevre, Matthew 21 

Lawton, Frederick A 23 

Lukins, Thomas P 20 

Lewis, George W 28 

Lewis, Addison S 22 

Leitch, Valentine 20 

Lawrence, John 33 

Luddington, Edward R 35 

Lee, Orlando 26 

Leonard, Patrick 31 

Lamb, George B 22 

Mil ford, George F 24 

Milford, William 22 

Marshall, John B 32 

Manley, William H 21 

More, William F 21 

Murphy, Paul 25 

Mabbitt, Richard 28 

Main, William 25 

Marshall, William 21 

Moore, William 33 

Morton, Orson B 26 

McCollum, Thomas 31 

Morse, Walter 28 

Munn, Brainerd F 25 

McKnight, Edwin 20 

Masters, Stephen 31 

Mayhew, Thomas 29 

Mason, Edward G 24 

Muth, Robert 24 

Mason, Charles M 23 

Mapstone, Henry 26 

McWilliams, Henry 24 

McGuire, John — 

Muth, Philip 22 

Mulholland, John 25 

Muth, Valentine 34 

Moreland, Parley W 26 

Morton, Hugh 2T 

McElroy, John 24 

Moreland, Lewis P 30 



AGE 

Mclntire, John 29 

Mayher, Michael 34 

Morton, Gavin 21 

Memecain, Andrew 26 

Memicarri, Andrew 20 

Morton, Alexander — 

Northrop, Daniel B 27 

Northrop, Elihu C 26 

Nellis, Philo 34 

Newell, Munson 29 

Newell, Harvey 24 

Newell, Mortimer 31 

Northway, William 21 

Nicholson, John 21 

Northrop, Elmer B 20 

Noonan, Peter 33 

O'Brien, James 22 

O'Niel, Charles 28 

O'Hara, Henry 21 

O'Harra, John 34 

]''cnnell, Franklin 22 

Palmer, John 33 

Purcell, Michael 33 

Patten, Edwin 27 

Preston, Marcus X 27 

Poole, Thomas 27 

Packwood, William 31 

Polley, Henry S 29 

Pople, George 28 

Porter, Edward E 20 

Porter, James — 

Paul, James 25 

Powell, Benjamin 23 

Prince, Jacob 20 

Parks, William 20 

Powell, Henry T 27 

Pantically, Gabriel 28 

Pardee, Amos R 35 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



AGE 

Reed, Westly 28 

Rawlins, George 23 

Rhoades, William P 27 

Rhoades, Benjamin F 33 

Rhoades, Washington 21 

Ruoff, Edwin 21 

Russell, Charles 25 

Russell, John 31 

Rhoades, Edmund V jo 

Ryan, James J5 

Roger, George 20 

Sutphen, Lewis ^l 

Steames, George 23 

Stearnes, Charles 25 

itacey, Richard M 32 

Stark, Thomas 31 

Shearston, Edward 34 

Shaliish, Jeremiah 32 

Shallish, Thomas 30 

Sullivan, Michael 27 

Smith, Francis 29 

Smith, Edward 25 

Smith, Edwin W 25 

Smith, Welcome 27 

Smith, Charles 30 

Smith, Thomas R 26 

Smith, Charles M. 31 

Smith, Edmond R. — 

Slater, Mason 2C) 

Slocum, John B 32 

Shanlin, Martin 20 

Sheehan, Patrick 30 

Sales, John 33 

Stock, James 34 

Strong, Henry 20 

Sweeting, Charles, Jr 22 

Stock, Aaron 25 

Springstead. Albert 20 

Springstead, George 26 

Stran, Stephen 20 

Shepard, Nelson R 22 



AGE 

Stephenson, Mather 34 

bamuels, Thomas 26 

Signor, Isaac S 20 

Stephens, Molt 23 

Sullivan, Jeremiah 33 

Simmons, James 37 

Simmons, Forrest 35 

Sherwood, Asa L 41 

Thornton, Philo S 22 

Thorne, R. Barckley 28 

Thome, Chauncey B 30 

Taylor, Lucien A 33 

Tate, John 34 

Tucker, Henry 29 

Taylor, William E 21 

Titterington, Thomas 22 

Turner, Darling 29 

Turner, Charles 25 

Turner, Mortimer 31 

Titterington, David 21 

Taylor, James 24 

Urcli, James 20 

Uncless, William 34 

Van Dyke, George 27 

Vanderburg, Thomas 30 

Van Saun, Anson 31 

Vary, Henry H 22 

Vickny, Robert 32 

White, Job 27 

Walts, Olin 20 

Wilson, Stephen H 34 

Winter, John A 27 

Weston, George H 25 

Wheeler, John 33 

Wilsey, John 31 

Williamson, George H 30 

Wyant, Robert 21 

Webb, Henry T 34 

Williams, Benjamin 21 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



Wheadon, James P 20 

Wheadon, Edward D 23 

Watkins, Williams 21 

Welling, Eli 23 

Willetts, William R 22 

Weeks, Stephen J 23 

Weeks, Forrest G 30 

Whitfield, William H 20 

Washburn, Lorenzo 29 

Williams, John 25 

Williams, James 22 

Wiltsey, Charles H 31 



AGE 

Wright, Parker 29 

Weeks, John 29 

Weeks, Lewis 24 

Weeks, Ovid 21 

Watson, Hull 34 

Wood, James 26 

Weymouth, Philip 25 

Weymouth, Jacob 32 

Wylie, Thomas 27 

Withey, Octave 31 

Weymouth, John 22 

\\h\\.t, Robert P. 25 



Second Cia&s. 



Austin, Kellogg . . 
Ashpole, William 

Austin, Dor 

Austin, Anthony . 



AGK 

38 

27 

36 

4-' 

Allen, Joseph 42 

Austin, George 35 

Aldrige, Robert 39 

Banker, Francis P 35 

Bushman, Charles 39 

Bennett, John H 35 

Bench, James 40 

Beauchamp, William ]\1 36 

Beatty, John 35 

Bradt, Alonzo 40 

Buckley, Almon 43 

Bradford, Thomas C 43 

Baker, John S 36 

Baker, Simeon 42 

Barber, Samuel 44 

Berry, Henry 36 

Briggs, Cortland 37 

Baker, Jonah 37 

Bannister, Melzer B-. 44 

Butler, James 44 

Billings, Richard 40 

Benedict, Harmon B 44 



Cornell, David 37 

Coe, Edward B 41 

Cuddeback, Isaiah 43 

Curtis, Alfred 42 

Carr, Robert 40 

Campbell, George B 36 

Credon, Timothy 38 

Conover, Mortimer 36 

Cornell, Horace 42 

Chappell, James 36 

Cuddeback, Lafayette 37 

Cole, Alvin T 41 

Clark, George H 41 

Clutsom, Henry 41 

Conover, Shuler D 39 

Chapman, James 43 

Cole, Jefferson 40 

Canan, John, ist 37 

Canan, John, 2d 43 

Chatfield, Albert L — 

Cogan, Patrick 36 

Clark, Joseph 35 

Coburn, Thomas 35 

Carr, George 44 

Catton, Thomas 44 

Coleman, Anthony 37 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



AI-.E 

Decker, Anthony 43 

Diefendorf, Georpc ^j 

Doyle, William T,y 

Dove, George 43 

Dando, Henry F 35 

Dare, Alfred 44 

Depiiyster, Abraham 35 

Dougherty, Daniel 44 

Dwyer, John 44 

Dougherty, Kiel 36 

Durkin, John 36 

Durston, William 41 

Earll, Deluscus 36 

Edick, Michael 39 

Edwards, Jonathan 37 

Edwards, J. Augustus 34 

English, Michael Z7 

Ford, Alexander . (4 

Fisher, Thomas . . ,Vi 

Foote, Chauncey 38 

Folts. Harvey 39 

Fuller, John W 43 

Fulton, Heman B 40 

Fitzgerald, Patrick 43 

Finnerty, Timothy V) 

Feelcy, John 41 

Feeley, Patrick ... .\\ 

Fuller, Sumner ... V 

Gardner, Myron 3S 

Gorton, William R 4 J 

Grecnway, William 3'') 

Gillman, James R 42 

Giles, William P 4^ 

Gregor)', George 40 

Gane, Joseph 36 

Grant, John J 41 

Glas«;. Daniel 39 

Grant. Henry D 41 



AGE 

llarse, Henry 38 

Hall, George B 39 

Horle, Thomas 42 

Hoag, Wellington S 35 

Hoag, George D 35 

Humphreys, John 40 

Hall, William 38 

Hunt, Henry 41 

Holben, Joseph 37 

Harvey, John 36 

Hill. William D 41 

Hare, Joseph 42 

Hardwich, James 43 

Hoyt, Ezekiel B 40 

Hoye, Frank 35 

Hcmmings, James 38 

Ilemmings, John M 36 

Hubbard, Daniel 40 

Hewlett, James S 43 

Kinney, Abner G j 1 

Kine, Thomas 41 

Kccbler, Frederick 39 

Kctcham, John H 36 

Kcllcy, Thomas 44 

Lcfcvcr, John 38 

Lefever, Nathaniel J 41 

Lee, Seth 40 

Looey, Abraham 40 

Lewis, Sand ford 43 

Lampson, Daniel . . V' 

Mofiitt, Lewis 43 

Mcnill, Robert J 35 

McLaughlin, James 35 

McLaughlin, 35 

Moyses, Edward 36 

Mason, Martin 40 

Morse. James T 37 

McMachan, George . t,7 



346 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



AGE 

Merrell, Charles F 43 

Moses, Henry 42 

Mulrooney, John 44 

McDonald, John 43 

Maconey, Jeremiah 32 

McGuire, John 36 

Major, Charles 36 

Miller, Joseph 35 

McPeak, Hugh 40 

Martin, Milo 2>7 

McDonald, Peter 35 

Masters, William 44 

Mclntire, William 44 

McNally, Edward 43 

Mitchell, James 35 

Nurse, William 35 

Nye, Henry S 36 

Norton, Thomas 41 

Odell, Dwight 39 

Parsons, Thomas 39 

Price, Daniel P 35 

Pulman, John 44 

Parish, John 37 

Potter, George V 35 

Packwood, John 38 

Pardee, Amos R — 

Porter, James E 36 

Piatt, Willis 40 

Palmer, Ashley PI 35 

Patten, James W 44 

Palmer, Samuel B 40 

Riggins, Thomas 35 

Richardson, Stephen D 41 

Roberts, James 38 

Reed, Andrew 42 

Reed, Thomas 37 

Reed, Charles 40 

Reed, Ogleby 43 

Root, James A 35 



AGE 

Reddish, Byron B 37 

Roundley, Nelson 40 

Richardson, Erastus 35 

Stafford, Gardner 35 

Stoner, William W 39 

Stoner, Marcus H 36 

Scantlebury, Thomas 35 

Stacey, William 44 

Smith, John H 42 

Slocum, George W 35 

Snow, William 39 

Starr, Lewis 36 

Simmonds, Henry P 44 

Shotwell, Walter F 44 

Skahn, William 36 

Sullivan, Jerry 40 

Strong, Isaac, Jr 37 

Springstead, Henry W 40 

Stephenson, John 44 

Stephenson, Samuel 37 

Stenson, John 37 

Stuart, George 35 

Singleton, Thomas 41 

Tucker, John T 38 

Turner, Newell 42 

Talcott, Joseph 43 

Thompson, Levi M 44 

Tuhcy, Michael 41 

Temple, Robert 43 

Turner, William S 40 

Vanderburg, John H 41 

Vokcs, Robert 41 

Van Schoick, William 36 

Wyant, Thomas 35 

Wellington, Lewis 42 

Wheeler, Daniel 42 

Williams, John 39 

Williams, Jessee 36 

Williams, Joseph 38 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 3 

AGF, ACli 

Waldron, Daniel H 35 Youngs, John D 38 

Wyckoff, Christopher C 40 Young, John C 42 

Winter, John 38 Young, Orson 41 



Provost Marshal's Office, 
Twenty-third District, State of New York, 
December i, 1863. 
PubHc notice is hereby given that every person enrolled may appear before the 
Board of Enrolment at any time before the 20th inst., and claim to have his name 
stricken from the list, if he can show to the satisfaction of the Board that he is 
not, and will not be, at the time fixed for the next draft, liable to military duty 
on account of : 
1st. Alienage. 
2d. Non-residence. 
3d. Unsuitableness of age. 
4th. Manifest permanent physical disability. 

Persons who may be cognizant of any other person liable to military duty 
whose name does not appear on the enrolment list are requested to inform the 
Board of Enrolment of the names of such persons. 
By order of the Board of Enrolment. 

Anson W. Evans, 
Assistant to Provost-Marshal General, President of the Board. 
William Andrews, Commissioner. 
John H. Knapp, Surgeon. 

List of Drafted Men, 1863. 

Albring, James. Canable, Andrew. 

Amos. Stephen. Cuddeback, Gurdon E. 

Adams, J. Curtis, George D. 

Chase, Martin. 

P.ritt, Thomas. Caxton, William. 

Barrow, George. Carpenter, Charles L. 

Barrow, Edward F. Cuykendall, Elias C. 

Burstone, Henry. Clark, Joseph. 

Burrit, Horace. Cawley, James. 
Burgess, Valentine. 

Benedict, Thomas .'\. Dunham, Dwight. 

Brock, Joseph. Dey, William \\'. 



348 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



Doyle, John. 
Dalton, William. 
Doherty, Michael. 
De Witt, Charles W., Jr. 

Elson, Charles. 
Earll, George H. 
Earll, Augustus P. 
Elphic, John J. 
Earll, Clarence M. 
Fowler, George. 
Fisher, John. 
Gregory, John E. 
Gregory, George A. 
Gibbons, Worthy. 
Goodyear, Albert. 
Giles, William J. 
Gambel, John. 
Greenway, Peter. 
Gonsallus, Isaac. 

Hall, John C. 
Hall, Lyman. 
Hewett, Henry. 
Harwood, Alanson C. 
Haight, Charles H. 
Haley, Edward. 
Hough, Thomas. 
Hovey, Joseph. 
Hamlin, George A. 
Harris, Philip. 
Home, Edward. 
House, James. 
Holmes, C. D. 
Harvey, Isaac M. 

Jay, John D. 
Jennings, Christopher. 

Kellogg, William W. 



Loomis, Jessee. 
Lee, Orlando. 
Long, Henry. 
Lewis, Addison S. 
Leitch, D. K. 
Leonard, Patrick. 

Morton, Orson B. 
Memecain, Andrew. 
Muth, Valentine. 
Mapstone, Henry. 
Milford, William. 
Muth, Robert. 
Munn, Brainerd. 
McKnight, Edwin (Colored). 
Milford, George F. 
McCollum, Thomas. 
Marshall, William. 

Newell, Monson. 
Newell, Mortimer. 
North, William. 

Pennell, Franklin. 
Porter, James. 
Polley, Henry S. 

Ryan, Morris. 
Rhoadcs, Wm. P. 
Rawlins, George. 
Russell, John. 

Sherwood, Asa L. 
Stacey, Richard M. 
Sweeting, Charles. 
Stephens, Mott. 
Shallish, Jerry. 
Simmons, Forrest. 
.Stock. Thomas. 
Smith, E. R. 



Lefever, Aaron. 
Loveland, Henry. 



Tate, John. 
Thome, C. B. 



HISTORV OF SKANEATELES. 349 

Thome, R. Barclay. Weston, George H. 

Taylor, Liicien A. Wright, Parker. 

W'illetts, William R. 
L'rch, James. White, Robert B. 

Uncless, William. W'atts, (Jrlin. 

Wiltsey, Charles H. 
W'elling-, Eli. Withey, Octave. 

Wheeler, William B. 
Williams, James. Yager, George 11. 

Sk.\ne.\teles Roll of Honor. 

Following is a record of the men who entered the volunteer service during 
the war of 1861-65 from the town of Skaneateles, together with the names of 
other natives of this town who enlisted elsewhere, and the names of present 
residents who enlisted and resided elsewhere during the war. The Free Press 
was furnished this list by E. N. Leslie of this village, who has been at great pains 
to make it as correct and accurate as possible. 

This list of names was used for the inscription in the Soldiers' Monument, 
and was the only complete list in the town. It was begun at the commencement 
of the Civil W^ar, by E. N. Leslie. 

Abbott, Daniel C, private, Co. C, 75th Infantry. 
.\dams, Jerome L., private, Co. C, 7Sth Infantry. 
Ashpole, William, private, Co. K, 15th Engineers. 
Andrew, Benjamin F., private, Co. I, 99th Infantry. 
Albring, James, private, Co. K, I22d Infantry. 
Amidon, Miles B., sergeant, Co. G, 149th Infantry. 
Agard, Charles H., private, Co. E, 9th Heavy .Artillery. 

Babcock, Charles, private, Co. I, 9th Heavy Artillery. 
Blodgett, Charles, private, Co. I, 9th Heavy .Artillery. 
Brown, John, private, Co. I, yth Heavy .Artillery. 
Barber, John .A., private, Co. I, 9th Heavy .Artillery. 
Bassett, Thomas, private, Co. E, 9th Heavy .Artillery. 
Bassett, Joseph, private, Co. E, 9th Heavy Artillery. 
Boyle. Peter, private, Co. I, 3d Light Artillcn-. 
Butler, Thomas, private, Co. G, 3d Light Artillery. 
Burridge, Edward M., private, Co. E, 3d Light -Artillery. 
Barton, George W., private. 3d Light Artillery. 
Bristol, Charles H., private, Co. A, 3d Light Artillery. 
Bnrnett, Byron, private, 3d Light Artillery. 
Brokaw, Charles W., private, Co. A, lyfh Infantry. 
Benson, James B., private, Co. G, loth Infantry. 



350 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Barber, Benjamin S., private, Co. G, 19th Infantry. 
Bell, Henry, private, 50th Engineers. 
Blodgett, Royal D., corporal, Co. C, 75th Infantry. 
Benedict, M. D., surgeon, 75th Infantry. 
Barry, Robert, private, Co. A, 75th Infantry. 
Baber, William H., private, Co. A, 75th Infantry. 
Burton, William, private, Co. F, 122A Infantry. 
Brown, Emmett J., private, Co. C, 149th Infantry. 
Brokaw, Daniel, private, Co. G, 149th Infantry. 
Brown, O. L. F., captain, Co. G, 149th Infantry. 
Benedict, Thomas A., ist lieutenant, Co. G, 149th Infantry. 
Battams, Robert B., private, Co. G, 149th Infantry. 
Brankham, David, private, Co. G, 149th Infantry. 
Bright, William J., private, Co. A, 146th Infantry. 
Benedict, Daniel J., private, 193d Infantry. 
Barrow, Arthur M., private, 193d Infantry. 
Brooks, Joseph, private, (particulars of service unknown). 
Burnett, Albert D. C, private, Co. I, loist Infantry. 
Bailey, David J., captain, Co. I, 99th Infantry. 
Burridge, John, Jr., private, 194th Infantry. 
Bradley, George C, private, Co. H, 22A Infantry. 
Bradley, Daniel, private, Co. G, 76th Infantry. 
Brownell, Irving, private, Co. I, 61 st Infantry. 
Benson, James, private, Co. G. 3d Light Artillery. 
Berry, Augustus A., private, Co. K, 3d Heavy Artillery. 
Burridge, George W., private, Co. E, 13th Michigan. 
Branch, Caleb, private, (particulars of service unknown). 
Beebe, Frank, private, (particulars of service unknown). 
Banks, Ezra, private, Co. G, 2d Cavalry. 

Cleveland, Maltby E., private, Co. I, 3d Cavalry. 
Chinnock, Thomas H., private, Co. F, 3d Light Artillery. 
Campbell, Henry E., private, Co. D, 3d Light Artillery. 
Cook, Benjamin C, private, Co. H, 5th Michigan Infantry. 
Church, Frank L., private, Co. li, 15th Engineers. 
Crosier, William H. H., sergeant, Co. G, 149th Infantry. 
Claxton, William, private, Co. G, 149th Infantry. 
Cottle, James, private, Co. G, 149th Infantry. 
Cook, Frank C, private, Co. G, 149th Infantry. 
Cullen, Joseph, private, Co. G, 149th Infantry. 
Cross, William, sergeant, Co. G, 149th Infantry. 
Carrigan, Patrick, private, Co.G, 149th Infantry. 
Chapman, Thomas, private, Co. G, 149th Infantry. 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Clark, Coy, private, Co. A, 75th Infantry. 

Cook, Frank, private, Co. I, 99th Infantry. 

Coleman, John P., private, Co. G, I9tli Infantry. 

Clark, Joseph, private, Co. K, I22d Infantry. 

Cannan, Austin, private, Co. K, I22d Infantry. 

Clapp, William H., private, Co. B, 112th Infantry. 

Cahill, Patrick, private, 185th Infantrj'. 

Claxton, George, private, Co. G, iiith Infantry. 

Cannan, Thomas, private, Co. B, 69th Infantry. 

Cook, William, private, Co. I, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Cooper, Georpe W., private, Co. L, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Coleman, Obadiah P., private, Co. F, 3d Light Artillery. 

Campbell, Samuel H., private, Co. A, ist Michigan Sharpshooters. 

Chase, Horace W., private, Co. F, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Curry, William E., private, Co. B, 3d Light Artillery. 

Chapman, James, private, Co. G, 19th Infantry. 

Creedon, John, (particulars of service unknown). 

Carr, Robert, private, Co. D, 3d Light Artillery. 

Cuydendall, Martin, sergeant, Co. I, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Dunning, Theodore L., private, Co. G, 19th Infantry. 

Durbin, Edwin, private, Co. G, 149th Infantry. 

Dunn, Michael, private, Co. I, 99th Infantry. 

Dougherty, Owen, private, Co. I, 99th Infantry. 

Dunn, James, sergeant, Co. I, 99th Infantry. 

Delano, Duane H., corporal, Co. G, 75th Infantry. 

Durston, Edward, private, Co. F, 75th Infantry. 

DeWitt, Earned, private. Co. A, 75th Infantry. 

Durston, Edward F., private, 75th Infantry. 

Duckett. Walter, hospital steward, private K, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Davey, Irving, sergeant, Co. F, I22d Infantry. 

Dillingham, D. S., drum major, I22d Infantry. 

Duckett, Benjamin E., private, Co. K, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Dove, Henry, private, enlisted 75th Regiment. 

Durbin, Alfred, private, Co. B, 3d Light Artillery. 

Defendorf, Edwin, private, Co. E, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Defendorf, Jacob, private, Co. D. 193d Tnfantr>'. 

Dove, Thomas G., private, ist N'. Y. Battery. 

Dumond, Loren, private, Co. B. 3 Light Artillery. 

Dalton, John, private, Co. K, 3d Light Artillery. 

Davis, John, private, 22d Cavalry. 

Davidson. Duncan, private, 22d Cavalrj'. 

Defendorf, John J., (enlisted in .-Xuburn). 



352 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

Earll, Almerson H., sergeant, Co. C, 75tli Infantry. 

Earll, Frank D., private, Co. K, 122A Infantry. 

Elson, George, private, Co. K, I22d Infantry. 

Edwards, George, private, Co. K, I22d Infantry. 

Evans, Richard, private, Co. C, 75th Infantry. 

Evans, Reuben, private, Co. G, 149th Infantry. 

Edwards, Sylvester, private, Co. G, 149th Infantry. 

Elphic, John J., private, Co. K, 19th Infantry. 

Edwards, Henry P., private, Co. D, 6th California Infantry. 

Elson, Henry, private, Co. I, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Evans, Edwin, private, Co. C, 3d Light Artillery. 

Francis, Wadsworth B., private, Co. A, 75th Infantry. 

Forward, George L., private, Co. A, 75th Infantry. 

Flynn, James, private, Co. A, 75th Infantry. 

Furman, Zalmon B., private, Co. G, 149th Infantry. 

Fish, John J., private, Co. G, 3d Light Artillery. 

French, George, private, Co. I, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Freer, Austin, private, 9th Heavy Artillery and i88th Infantry 

Francis, Samuel, wardmaster, Co. K, ist Wisconsin Infantry. 

Groom, Flolland E., private, Co. B, 3d Light Artillery. 
Groom, Alexander, private, Co. B, 3d Light Artillery. 
Groom, Volney, private, Co. D, 9th Heavy Artillery. 
Groom, Miles, private, Co. H, 75th Infantry. 
Groom, Charles, private, Co. G, I22d Infantry. 
Gillett, Edgar E., private, Co. G, 19th Infantry. 
Gillett, Edson D., private, Co. G, 19th Infantry. 
Gamble, William, private, Co. G, 149th Infantry. 
Grant, Minor, private, 193d Infantry. 
Graves, Harvey, private, Co. D, 25th Infantry. 
Gould, George, private, 9th Heavy Artillery. 
Gale, Edwin, private, Co. E, 9th Heavy Artillery. 
Green, Adelbert E., private, Co. C, 3d Light Artillery. 
Gunning, Patrick, private, 50th Engineers. 
Gilson, Joseph L., private, 2d Cavalry. 
Grible, Ferdinand, private, 50th Engineers. 
Gregory, William B., private, Co. A, 25th Missouri. 
Green, D. C, Co. K, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Horle, Joseph, private, Co. G, lOth Infantry. 
Heenan, Patrick, private, Co. G, 149th Infantry. 
Harwood, George B., private, Co. G, 149th Infantry. 



insroRY or skaneateles. 3S3 

Hunipliryes, Robert B., private, Co. F, I22(J Infantry. 

Harris, George L., private, Co. A, 75111 Infantry. 

Hatch, Albert, private, Co. A, 75tli Infantry. 

Hares, Henry, private, Co. J, "Stli Infantry. 

Hilliard, Charles H., private, Co. .\, -5th Infantry. 

Hunter, Charles R., private, 21st Infantry. 

Hatch, Lester S., private, 185th Infantry. 

Haniman, Thomas, private, 193d Infantry. 

Holsehaw, Henrj-, private, iy3d Infantry. 

Howard, Justin A., ist lieutenant, Co. 1, i22d Infantry. 

Hilliard, Van R. K., from quartermaster-sergeant to captain, 48th Infantry. 

Hoge, Jesse A., private, Co. I, 2d Cavalry. 

Hays. E. Davis, private, 2d Cavalry. 

Hall, David, private, Co. G, 139th Illinois Infantry. 

Hickey, John, private, Co. I, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Hu.xford, Amit B., private, Co. K, 3d Light .Artillery. 

Hickey, Michael, private, Co. I, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Hayhoe, Henry, private, Co. L, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Horton, Clarence, private, Co. I, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Hummings, Michael, private, 50th Engineers. 

Harris, James G., private, Co. G, 3d Light Artillery. 

Huxford, H. D., private, Co. K, 3d Light Artillery. 

Hatch, George B., private, ist N. Y. Rifles. 

Harvey, Isaac M., corporal, Co. G, 3d Light .\rtillcry. 

Hall, William, private, Co. H, 6th Cavalry. 

Hall, Charles, private, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Ilaskins, George, private, Co. F, 37th Infantry. 

Hoxie, Theodore, private, Co. K, I22d Infantry. 

Holmes, George P., (particulars of service unknown). 

Ingerson, A. P., private, Co. H, 184th Infantry. 

Isom, James A., private, Co. I, Union Coast Guard; rcenlistcil. Co. K, 103d Ohio 
Infantry; reenlistcd as lieutenant, I3lh Inf.uiirv \ \' 
in, Henry, orderly sergeant, Co. A, 20th Illinois. 

J.'ickson, Andrew, private, Co. K, 9th Heavy Artiliiry. 
Jay, Abraham, private, Co. K, 193d Infantry. 
Jay, Joseph, Jr., lieutenant, Co. G, 149th Infantry. 
Jones, Andrew H.. private, Co. F, I22d Infantry. 
James, William, private, (particulars of service unknown). 

Keegan. Charles J.. i)rivate, Co. H, 20tli Infantry. 
Kennett, William C, private, r.. i'. 1 ■',! lui'iTnrv 



354 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Kelley, Garrett, private, Co. K, I22d Infantry. 
Kelley, Patrick, private, Co. K, I22d Infantry. 
Kochenburber, Henry, private, Co. F, I22d Infantry. 
Kelley, Thomas, sergeant, Co. K, 15th Engineers. 
King, Henry, Jr., private, Co. D, 3d Light Artillery. 
King, Henry, Sr., private, Co. B, 3d Light Artillery. 
Kidder, Monroe C, private, Co. A, 8th Cavalry. 
Kellogg, Mortimer, chief engineer, U. S. Navy. 

Loss, Rial, private, Co. G, 19th Infantry. 

Loveland, Henry, private, Co. A, 19th Infantry. 

Little, Henry F., private, Co. G, 19th Infantry. 

Livingston, John, private, 15th Infantry. 

Little, George F., private, Co. C, 75th Infantry. 

Lansdown, John, private, Co. K, 75th Infantry. 

Leonard, Patrick, private, Co. A, 75th Infantry. 

Law lor, Martin, private, 185th Infantry. 

Leonard, George, private, 193d Infantry. 

Loss, Hurlburt H., private, Co. D, 3d Light Artillery. 

Lynch, Barney, private, Co. G, 3d Light Artillery. 

Loveland, Alonzo, private, Co. E, 3d Light Artillery. 

Lewis, George L., private, Co. K, 3d Light Artillery. 

Loss, Franklin A., private, Co. G, 3d Light Artillery. 

Lewis, Albert, private, 3d Light Artillery. 

Loveland, George, private, Co. E, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Little, Isaac, private, Co. I, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Lee, John E., private, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Loss, Samuel E., corporal, Co. G, 33d Illinois Infantry. 

McCord, Daniel, Co. I, 149th Infantry. 
Mclntire, James, private, Co. E, 51st Infantry. 
Mclntire, William, private, Co. E, 121st Infantry. 
McPherson, John, private, 193d Infantry. 
Mclntire, Edward, private, 193d Infantry. 
Mclntire, Patrick C, private, Co. K, ist Cavalry. 
Murray, Patrick, private, Co. C, 75th Infantry. 
McMillen, James, private, 75th Infantry. 
More, Reuben, private, Co. K, looth Infantry. 
Martin, Thomas, private, 2d Cavalry. 
Morar, Thomas, private, 50th Engineers. 
Masters, Albert, private, Co. E, Battery Artillery. 
Mower, Lewis H., captain, Co. L, 3d Light Artillery. 
McPeak. Thomas, private, Co. D, 3d Light Artillery. 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

McPeak, John, private, Co. D, 3d Light Artilkry. 
Monroe, Henry C, private, 3d Light Artillery. 
Millicr, John J., private, Co. I, 9th Heavy Artillery. 
Marshall, William, private, Co. E, 9th Heavy Artillery. 
Mallon, James, private, Co. C. 149th Engineers. 
Millier, William, private, Co. C, 75th Infantry. 
McNair, Hugh, corporal, Co. D, 26th Infantry. 
McPhail, Lachlan, private, Co. G, 3d Light Artillery. 

North, David, private, Co. A, 75th Infantry. 
North, Thomas, private, Co. C, 75th Infantry. 
Newell, John, musician, Co. B, loist Infantry. 
Northway, Thomas, private, Co. K, I22d Infantry. 
Northrop, Homer A., private, Co. G, 149th Infantry. 
Naracong, William B., private, Co. K, 3d Light .Artillery. 
Nugent, Owen, private, Co. D, 3d Light Artillery. 
Nuttle, Edward, private, ist Light Artillery. 

Orr, Robert, (particulars of service unknown). 
O'Hara, Patrick, private, Co. K, I22d Infantry. 
Ostrander, John H., private, Co. K, i22d Infantry. 
Olin, Jonathan, private, Co. E, 138th Infantry. 
Olin, Russell W., private, Co. E, 138th Infantry. 

Pardee, Joseph B., (particulars of service unknown). 
Parish, Seth A., sergeant, Co. C, 75th Infantry. 
Parish, Edgar, private, 75th Infantr>'. 
Pimm, Jesse, private, Co. C, 75th Infantry. 
Pearce, George, private, Co. I, 3d Light Artillery. 
Potter, Edward S., private, Co. G, 149111 Infantry. 
Pierce, Willard, private, 9th Heavy Artillery. 
Penner, John W., private, 2d Cavalry. 
Payson, DeWitt .\., private, ist Veteran Cavalry. 
Porter, Stanley, 2d lieutenant, Buffalo Regiment. 
Porter, Benjamin H., 1st lieutenant. U. S. Navy. 
Potter, Edward E., brigadier general. 

Quinnan, Thomas, private, ist Veteran Cavalry. 

Richard, Stephen C. private. Co. I. 9th Heavy .\rtillcry. 
Reynolds, John, private, Co. I, 9th Heavy Artillery. 
Rhoades, Charies C, private. 9th Heavy .Artillery. 
Riby. John, private, Co. I, 9th Heavy .Artillery. 



356 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

Richards, William, private, Co. G, 3d Liglit Aniller\-. 

Russell, John, private, Co. C, 3d Light Artillery. 

Rhoades, J. Beach, private, Co. H, 15th Engineers. 

Rodgers, Patrick J., private, 50th Engineers. 

Riley, John, private, 12th Pennsylvania Infantry. 

Royce, Francis L., private, Co. A, 141st Infantry. 

Riley, James, private, i6oth Infantry. 

Rice, George, private, 185th Infantry. 

Rice, Samuel, private, 193d Infantry. 

Riley, Patrick, private, 52d Infantry. 

Reed, B. F., private, Co. A, 75th Infantry. 

Reed, Wesley, private, (particulars of service unknown). 

Rock, William, (particulars of service unknown). 

Ryan, Morris, private, Co. I, 19th Infantry. 

Rice, John, private, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Rice, William, (regiment unknown, killed in battle). 

Rice, Henry, (regiment unknown, killed in battle). 

Smith, Franklin D., private, Co. B, 19th Infantry. 
Stacey, Anthony, corporal, Co. G, 19th Infantry. 
Stacey, John, private, Co. I, 99th Infantry. 
Spaulding, Earll, private, Co. G, 149th Infantry. 
Smith, James M., private, Co. G, 149th Infantry. 
Shaw, Milton, sergeant, Co. C, 75th Infantry. 
Simmon, Albert, private, Co. H, 75th Infantry. 
Sinclair, Albert, private, Co. C, 75th Infantry. 
Sinclair, D. M., private, Co. C, 75th Infantry. 
Stebbins, Phinneas S., private, Co. K, i22d Infantry. 
Stebbins, Menzer, private, Co. K, I22d Infantry. 
•Smith, Lyman, private, Co. K, I22d Infantry. 
Stinson, John, private, Co. K, I22d Infantry. 
Springstead, Austin, private, Co. F, i22d Infantry. 
Sage, Henry S., private, Co. D, I22d Infantry. 
Smith, Lyman, private, I22d Infantry. 
Shillinburg, Peter, private, I22d Infantry. 
Sherman, Alfred, private, Co. K, I22d Infantry. 
Seymour, George B., private, Co. K, I22d Infantry. 
Shaw, Amos, (particulars of service unknown). 
Stevens, George, drummer boy, Co. K, I22d Infantry 
Stephens, Jason, private, 185th Infantry. 
Snyder, Henry, private, 185th Infantry. 
Sloan, James, private, 91st Infantry. 
Sherman, John H., private, 81 st Infantry. 



HiSTORV OF SK.ixn.iTnLrs. 

^itK-Iair. Charles, private, 1931! Infantry. 

Shepard, Jolin, private, 193d Infantry. 

Solomon, Judson M., private, 193d Infantry. 

Sinclair, William, lieutenant, Co. L, 9th Heavy .\rtillcry. 

Sinclair, I'rank A., private, Co. I, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Sayles. John B., private, Co. I, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Shaw, Stephen, private, Co. E, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Smith, Martin N., private, Co. I, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Smith, John F., private, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Snow, William, private, Co. E, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Strong, Henry, private, Co. E, 3d Light .Artillery. 

Springstead, Albert, private, Co. E, 3d Light Artillery. 

Stokes, James W., private, 3d Light Artillery. 

Stone. William A., private, Co. A. 3d Light Artillery. 

Stowell, James, private, Co. C, 3d Light Artillery. 

Stacey, James, private, Co. K, 15th Engineers. 

Shattuck, Charles L., private, 2d Cavalry. 

Sullivan, John, private, Co. C, 26th Ohio Infantry. 

Sinclair, James P., private, Co. L, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Stoner, Charles M., private, enlisted in a Missouri regiment. 

Samuels, Thomas, (particulars of enlistment unknown). 

Thorpe, Stephen B., private, Co. F, i22d Infantry. 
Thurlow, James, Jr., private, Co. I, 9th Heavy Artillery. 
Turner, Charles, private, Co. I, 9th Heavy Artillery. 
Thomas, William H., private. Co. L, 1st Mounted Rifles. 
Tallan, James, private, Co. I, (further particulars unknown). 
Taylor, Cornelius T., private, Co. H, 96th Infantry. 

Unckless, John A., private, Co. I, U-'il Intaiilry. 

VanCuflder, Harry C. private, Co. K, 21st Artillery; rccnlisted 184111 Infantr; 

V'anCiuilder, George W., private, Co. C, 134th Infantry. 

VanDyke, Augustus, private, Co. G, 3d Light Artillery. 

\'an(lcnburg. Thomas, lieutenant, Co. I), 3(1 Light Artillery. 

\'anCamp, Ransom, private, Co. E, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

\'eder, Elisha, private, Co. G, 12th Infantry. 

\'anSchoick. William, private. Co. I, 20th Colored Infantry. 

W'headon, Edward D.. private, Co. .\. 3d Light .Arlillfry. 
White. Richard S.. private. Co. .\. 3d Light .Vrtillcry. 
Wheaton. Charles W., private, Co. K. 3d Light .Artillery. 
Weeks, Reuben, private. Co. K. 3d Light .Artillery. 



3S8 HISTORY OF SKAKEATELES. 

Watts, William, private, Co. E, 3d Light Artillery. 

Welling, Eli E., private, Co. I, 99th Infantry. 

Whitfield, William H., private, Co. G, 149th Infantry. 

Whitfield, Charles W., private, Co. I, 99th Infantry. 

Warner. George R., private, Co. E, 149th Infantry. 

Wait, Addison G., 1st lieutenant, loth Infantry. 

Wayne, John, private, Co. K, 122A Infantry. 

Whitworth, William W., private, Co. K, 1226. Infantry. 

Weeks, Emanuel, private, Co. E, 1226. Infantry. 

Withers, William, private, Co. C, 75th Infantry. 

Wakely, William, private, Co. A, 75th Infantry. 

Wheadon, George, private, Co. C, 75th Infantry. 

Walker, E. W., hospital steward, Co. A, 75th Infantry. 

Wheeler, W. H. B., sergeant, Co. G, 19th Infantry. 

Waldron, Sylvester, private, Co. I, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Waldron, Augustus, corporal, Co. I, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Waldron, Aaron, private, Co. I, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Waldron, David H., private, Co. E, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Waldron, Ephraim, private, Co. I, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Waldron, Wayland, private, Co. A, 15th Cavalry. 

Warner, Stewart H., private, Co. I, 22d Cavalry. 

White, W. C, private, 2d Cavalry. 

Watson, Thomas, private, Co. L, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Wood, Hiram, private, Scott's 900. 

Walters, John, private, 185th Infantry. 

Williamson, Simeon H., private, 193d Infantry. 

Webb, James W., hospital steward, 12th Infantry, 15th Cavalry. 

Willetts, Charles, lieutenant colonel, 14th Kansas Cavalry. 

Wayne, Robert, private, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Zimmermann, A., private, enlisted Syracuse. 

The above list contains 374 names. 

The Soldiers in the Late War. 

The list of names, alphabetically arranged, with all the particulars of service, 
printed in this issue of the Free Press, has been in process of collection ever since 
the war closed, as being an interesting part of the history of this town. It is 
a noble enumeration, and very creditable to Skaneateles, showing conclusively its 
part in the war for the preservation of the Union. The difficulties in preparing 
this list in all its minute particulars have been very great. Many names which 
seem to be unknown to old residents are to be accounted for from the fact 
that many enlistments were made b_\- operatives in our maiuifacturing estab- 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



359 



lishments and by hired laborers on the farms in the town, many of wliom were 
only temporary residents. There are undoubtedly many errors in the particu- 
lars of service, which it has been impossible to verify, although every effort 
has been made to perfect the list in all particulars. Every native of Skaneateles 
should secure a copy while it can be had. It would be further interesting 
to have the names of those who were killed in the service, those who died of 
disease in the service, those who died in the rebel prisons, and those who have 
since died at home or elsewhere. But ns the list published to-day can not be 




The youngost volunlii; 



o( hit cuuntry. 



again duplicated, these particulars must be made out separately, if ever, in 
another list. E. N. Leslie. 



^"IJllERS WHO CUE UP THEIR LiVES IN DEFENSE OF THE UnION WHO BELONGED 

TO THE Town of Skaneateles, N. Y. 

The following call for information was published in l)oth the village papers, 
by the author during the month of November, 1875, and other similar calls for 
information were subsequently made at various times. 

" Information Wanted. — We are requested to obtain from our townspeople 
the names of all the soldiers who went from this town and took part in the late 



360 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 



war, the number of the regiment to wliich they belonged, and to what com- 
pany. If killed, wounded, or died in the service, the particulars thereof are 
wanted in each instance. Persons who can give any of the particulars desired 
are requested to leave the same at the office of the Free Press." 

The following are the names of those born in or belonging to the town of 
Skaneateles who lost their lives in defense of the Union in the Civil War of 
1861 to 1865: 



Albring, James. 
Amidon, Allies B. 
Aldrick, James. 

Baber, William H. 
Boyle, Peter. 
Bradley, Daniel. 
Brockrow, Henry. 
Browning, William. 
Burnett, Albert D. C. 
Burridge, Edwin. 
Burridge, George W. 
Burridge, John. 
Brankan, David. • 
Campbell, Samuel H. 
Cleaveland, Maltby E. 
Claxton, George. 

Dunn, Michael J. 
Dunn, James H. 
( Both the above died in 
ville Prison.) 
Doherty, Owen. 
Durbin, Alfred. 
Dillon, John. 

Earll, A. H. 

Francis, Samuel. 
Francis, Wadsworth B. 
Fish, John Jay. 
Fisher, George. 
French, George. 
Gillett, Edgar B. 
Gregory, William E. 

Hayho, Henry. 



Hill, William. 
Hayne, Henry. 
Hatch, George B. 
Hilliard, Charles H. 

Isom, Henry. 
Isom, James A. 
Kelley, Garrett. 
Kelley, Caney. 

Lynch, Barney. 
Loss, Franklin A. 

More, Reuben. 

Northway, Thomas. 

O'Hara, Patrick. 
Ostrander, John H. 
Olin, Russell. 

Porter, Benjamin H. 
Anderson- Porter, Stanley. 

Potter, Edward S. 

Ribey, John. 
Royce, Francis L. 

Seymour, George H. 
Shaw, Milton. 
Snow, William. 
Springstead, Austin. 
Stacey, John. 
Smith, Lyman. 
Sayles, John B. 

\'an Guilder, George W. 

Whitworth, ^^■illiam W. 
Williams, Charles. 



HISTORY uf Mx.i.\hATELES. 361 

Albert De Cost Burnett. — Albert De Cost Burnett was the youngest 
volunteer from the town of Skaneateies in the War of 1861-65. ^''^ enlisted as 
a private in Company I, loist Infantry, at the age of sixteen years. He died of 
liisease at Harrison's Landing, Va., .August 4, 1862. His remains were 
Wrought home. He was the only son of the late Charles J. Burnett, Jr., and was 
the brother of the late Mrs. E. D. C. Smith, of Skaneateies, and grandson of the 
late Captain Nash De Cost. 

The Skaneateles Educatio.nai. Societv. — The Skaneateies Educational 
Society was organized May 3, 1838, by Phares Gould, President; Alfred Wilkin- 
son and William Gibbs, Vice-Presidents; Milton A. Kinney, Secretary; Abner 
Bates. Treasurer; Joseph Talcott. J. T. Clark, Stephen E. Maltby, William H. 
Greene, Dr. Evehii H. Porter, Luther I'ratt, and Archibald Douglass, Managers. 
Committees were appointed to visit the twenty schools in town and report their 
condition, and by systematic work a new impetus was given to local education. 

The Skaneateles Anti-Slaverv Society. — Contemporary with the above 
organization was the Skaneateles Anti-Slavery Society, whose officers were: 
Alfred Wilkinson, President ; Thaddcus Edwards and Daniel Talcott, Vice- 
Presidents; James Cannings Fuller, Secretary: Stephen E. Maltby, Treasurer; 
Smith Litherland, James Rattle, John Snook, Chester ^[oses, Abner Bates, and 
George Pryor, Executive Committee. The organization was an able auxiliary 
to the County Society. 

Elnathan S. Andrews. — Elnathan S. Andrews was here in 1808. He built 
the original meeting-house for the Skaneateles Religious Society, on the hill, and 
afterward was the landlord of the original tavern, which stood on the site of the 
present Savings Bank, on Cienesee Street. 

James Sackett. — On March 20. 1828, James Sackett owned all the lands 
in the village east of the outlet of Skaneateles Lake, and south of the Seneca 
Turnpike Road, except the several pieces or parcels of land heretofore sold and 
c(jnveyed by said Sackett to John Legg, Edward G. Ludlow, Spencer Parsons, 
Perley Putnam, David Hall, Seth & James Hall. Moore & Edmonds. William 
S. Wood, James Porter, and William Easton. 

James Sackett purchased from Jedediah Sanger all lands south of Seneca 
Turnpike, from the west line of Winston Day's potashcry. which was located 
west of the present C. If. Poor residence, to the outlet of Skaneateles Lake. 

Bethl'el Cole. — Bethucl Cole was here in 1804. and was a farmer, black- 
smith, and tinker of all work. He traded in the village in March, 1805, and 
was charged with four bushels of wheat, wanting four quarts, in payment for 
lx)arding Mr. Kneeland, at twenty-four shillings. He was a meml^r of the 
Grand Jury in 1-97. He lived on the Tunis Van Houghton farm, which was 
the next farm south of Welch's. 

An Early Carpenter and Contractor. — Elijah Manlcy was the contractor 
and builder of the Dr. Samuel Porter dwelling, which w.ts located on the present 
H. L. Roosevelt place. 



362 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

Introduction of Merino Sheep, Early Merchants, and Steamboat 
Excursions. 

Correl Humphreys. — By request, the following autobiography was written 
by Correl Humphreys : 

Fair Haven, May ii, 1882. 

Friend E. N. Leslie : 

Sir: Your communication came safe to me last month, but my eyes pre- 
vented my reply till now. 

Correl Humphreys was born in the town of Simsbury (now Canton), Hart- 
ford County, Conn., May 13, 1804, and was educated at the District school when 
quite young, but in succeeding years attended the Academy for several winters, 
likewise a select school taught by the Rev. Pierpont Brackett. 

I went to my trade at the clock factory of Messrs. Birge, Case & Co., Bristol, 
Conn. I traveled for several years for the Erastus Case Clock Company through 
the States of Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky. I have now in my 
possession a watch they presented me upon my return home, " For faithful serv- 
ices " rendered them in their clock company, in the above named States. I like- 
wise carried the same watch through the Seminole War in Florida. 

I then went for my elder brother, Tracey Humphreys, now dead, to Virginia 
for several seasons in the clock business ; returned back to Connecticut ; from 
thence I went South over the ground again repairing clocks ; passed through the 
Shenandoah Valley and over my old ground, occupying several years, to Memphis, 
Tenn. ; went down the Mississippi River to Carleton, a short distance above New 
Orleans, where I stopped for a short time with a friend. When there the gen- 
tleman whose house I was at went down to New Orleans. Upon his return he 
brought a handbill giving the account of the massacre of Major Dade and his 
command upon the Choctawhatchee River, Florida. General Edmund P. Gaines, 
commanding the military district, stationed at New Orleans, served a notice upon 
the Governor of Louisiana, who called upon the citizens of the State and all others 
to volunteer and protect the women and children from the bloodthirsty savages. 
The Indians were killing women and children indiscriminately. I went to the city 
of New Orleans next day, and found business nearly suspended, and flags flying 
from all public buildings, and notices in print calling upon all to rally. I was 
one of the first to volunteer. In the course of the day from fifteen hundred to 
two thousand men were enrolled and officers elected. Percifer F. Smith, a gradu- 
ate of West Point, was elected General of Volunteers. We landed at Pensacola 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 363 

and drew our rifles; from thence to Tampa, upon Tampa Bay, where we landed 
near Fort Brooke, around which were encamped a great many women and chil- 
dren. We soon landed, and marched past the fort to the rear of the town and 
encamped. Xext day we started for Dade's battle-ground. When we arrived 
upon the spot, a horrid sight met our view. The blackened forms of more than 
one hundred men lay exposed to the beasts and vultures, which had mutilated 
them. Our company of riflemen, commanded by Captain Henry L. Thrisel, was 
detailed as a guard to protect those who were collecting the mutilated remains of 
those who had fallen in that contest. A man by the name of Clark, from Steu- 
ben County, X. Y., was the only survivor. He died in a few years from wounds 
received at that time, and was buried at Bath, with the honors of war by the mili- 
tary of that section. When our time had expired, we were taken to Charleston, 
S. C, and were honorably discharged, after being escorted by several companies 
of the City Guard to quarters. Next day we were paraded, and an address was 
read to us from Governor McComb, General in Chief of the United States 
Army, returning thanks to us for our patriotism in protecting the citizens of 
Florida in their hour of trouble. Then came the saddest performance — to take 
by the hand our old companions who had shared with us and braved the battle- 
fields for the last time, and bid one another farewell. 

I have been working at my trade about forty years clock repairing, and, with- 
out vainly boasting, handled as many clocks as any one now in the State. 

My grandfather, William Humphreys, served through the Revolutionary 
War; was with General Richard Montgomery when he fell before the walls of 
Quebec, and was at Saratoga at the surrender of Burgoyne, and with General 
Anthony Wayne when he stormed Stony Point. My sister has written you con- 
cerning my father. 

I was admitted into the Masonic Fraternity in the year 1827, and the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows in 1846. 

I first came to Skaneateles in the year 1827. I have been a practical tem- 
perance man for forty-five years. 

Very truly and respectfully, 

CoRRF.L Hu.MPHRF.VS. 

CoRREt- Humphreys' Ancestors and their connection with Interest- 
ing Events. — Correl Humphreys was descended in a direct line from Michael 
Humphreys, who came from England in 1643 ^"<i settled at Windsor, Conn. 
He had two sons, John and Lieutenant Samuel. Correl Humphreys was 
descended from Lieutenant Samuel. In this line of descent was General David 
Humphreys, who was born July 10, 1752, at Derby, Conn. General Humphreys 
was very intimate with President Washington and his family at Mount Vernon, 
on the Potomac, and he had been imbued with a taste for agriculture by the im- 
mortal farmer. His prominence in public affairs, and President Washington's 
confidence in his ability as a representative of the Government, are illustrated in 



364 HISTORY OF SKAXEATEI.ES. 

the following letter in reply to a comnuuiication of inquiry to the State Depart- 
ment : 

Department of State, Washington. May 28, 1900. 

Edmund Norman Leslie, Esquire, Skaneateles, New York: 

Sir: In response to your letter of the 24th instant, I have to inform you 
that David Humphreys, of Connecticut, was commissioned Minister Plenipoten- 
tiary to Portugal February 21, 1791 ; he left Portugal for Spain on July 25, 1797, 
having been commissioned Minister Plenipotentiary to Spain May 20, 1796. 
He was also commissioned Commissioner Plenipotentiary to Morocco March 13, 
1795, to negotiate treaty of amity and commerce; Commissioner Plenipotentiary 
to Algiers March 21, 1793, and Commissioner Plenipotentiary to Tripoli and to 
Tunis March 30, 1795. He left Spain about December 28, 1801. 
I am, sir, your obedient servant, 

William H. Michael, Chief Clerk. 

While Minister to Spain he was very intimate with all the officers of the Gov- 
ernment, and became a great favorite with them. Having become interested in 
agriculture through his intimacy with President Washington, and having the in- 
terests of the American agriculturists in mind, the Spanish Merino sheep at- 
tracted his attention, and he made application to the officers of the Government 
for their assistance in procuring some of these sheep and to have them sent to the 
United States. Although these officers were his particular friends, they stated 
to him that the laws of Spain forbade their exportation. This was a great disap- 
pointment to him. Afterward, through the kindness of some of these officers, 
it was suggested to him to purchase privately a number of the sheep, and these 
friendly officers would, to use an American expression, " wink " at the unlawful 
proceeding. Colonel Humphreys, therefore, made the desired purchase, and 
shipped the sheep aboard of an American ship then shortly to sail for the United 
States. All this was done very quietly and secretly so far as possible, and, of 
course, with the concurrence of his friends, officers of the Government. 

Thus it was that, through the ancestor of Correl Humphreys, the farmers and 
sheep husbandmen, and the people of this grand Republic, obtained the finest 
breed of Merino sheep in the world. 

Connecting Correl Humphreys' relative, Colonel Humphreys, with this county, 
it may be stated that I\Ir. John Ellis, brother of James M. Ellis, Esq., of Syra- 
cuse, was the first person to introduce Merino sheep into this county. In 1796 he 
settled in the town of Onondaga. About 1802 or 1803 he purchased from 
Colonel Humphreys, of Connecticut, two bucks and two ewes of the pure Merino 
stock which Colonel Humphreys had imported from Spain, paying fifteen hun- 
dred dollars for the four head. Mr. Ellis bred these sheep extensively on his 
farm, and laid the foundation of wide improvement in the stock of fine Merino 
sheep throughout the country. After his death Mr. James M. Ellis continued to 



///s/M/vT ()/• SK.lXn.lTF.U: 




366 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

breed fine flocks of these sheep on the farm formerly owned by his father until 
1854. 

Colonel Humphreys on his return from Spain was presented with a gold 
medal by " The Trustees of the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agricul- 
ture " for the introduction of these sheep into this country. Correl Humphreys 
died in Skaneateles, October 17, 1885, aged eighty-two years. 

Correl Humphreys in person was rather above the medium height, had a 
pleasant and ruddy countenance, was kind-hearted, and was particularly fond of 
children. This trait materially added to his comfort during his travels through- 
out the States he perambulated in his business trips. His practise when he entered 
a dwelling, if a baby happened to be present, was immediately to take the baby in 
his arms and seek to amuse it in any manner that seemed agreeable to the child. 
This act made the mother happy and ever afterward Correl's friend. When 
Correl came along that way, she knew him at once, and always invited him in and 
gave him a meal, besides rendering him all the assistance possible among her 
neighbors in his business. This mere " baby act " was a godsend to him in all his 
travels, and his kindness and loving attention to the children eventually made 
it profitable to him. 

Politically he was a real Democrat, never missing a single election. No mat- 
ter what part of the United States he was in, he made minute calculations to get 
home, and always appeared the day before the election. He never missed voting 
the Democratic ticket. He was a true American and always a gentleman, honest 
as the day is long. Every time he returned from a business trip he deposited 
his earnings with Charles Pardee, considering him better than any bank, but 
eventually he found out his mistake. His outward dress was peculiar. He 
always wore a blue cloth swallow-tail coat, with brass buttons, and a silk hat. 
He was highly respected by all the people of Skaneateles, especially those who 
were in the habit of seeing him during the many years of his life. 

Early Merchants and Others. — The early merchants were all on the north 
side of the Seneca Turnpike Road. 

Booth & Ingham (Jonathan Booth and Samuel Ingham) had in 1812 a gen- 
eral store where now is Benoni Lee's office. 

Phares Gould in 1816 had a general store situated where now is Miss Wheel- 
er's millinery store. This store was a brick two-story building, with gable end 
on the street. His dwelling was a frame two-story building next east of his 
store. 

Samuel Ingham at that time lived in a story-and-a-half frame dwelling situ- 
ated where is now the C. H. Poor residence. It was painted red, 

Edward G. Ludlow had in 1813 a store on the north side of the Turnpike. 

George and Owen Cotton were millwrights, and built all the early grist-mills 
in this section of the State. Their brother, Willard Cotton, was a farmer, and 
lived in this town. These three brothers were all born in the district where Mott- 
ville is now located. Owen Cotton died at Attica, N. Y., at the age of ninety-one 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 367 

\cars. George Cotton died at South Onondaga about 1882, and was over ninety 
years of age. The names of these three brothers all appear in the old ledgers 
before and after 1806. 

Elijah Price was Justice of the Peace here in 1805. 

Norman Leonard had a general store on the Joel Thayer lot in 1813. At that 
date there were no stores on the south side of the Seneca Turnpike. 

Winston Day's store was on the site of the Lake House. 

Isaac Mills settled on Lot No. 61, Marcellus, in the month of May, 1803. He 
came from the town of Stillwater, Saratoga County, N. Y. He was twenty-four 
years of age when he came, was married, and brought one child with himself and 
wife. Timothy Mills, a son, succeeded his father on same farm. 

Peter E. Gumaer and James Ennis were witnesses to a legal form here in the 
year 1800. 

Church Diversion. — About the years 1843-44, when the old square pews 
were in St. James' Church, a few of the gentleman attendants indulged in a 
little diversion among themselves. At that period, when there were no garden 
vegetables or garden fruit sold at retail in the village, each householder culti- 
vated a garden for household purposes, and, when one of the St. James' at- 
tendants happened to raise unusually early in the season a cucumber, an ear of 
sweet corn, a melon, radishes, or other novelty, he would take his best specimen 
and carry it to the church before service, and deposit it in the pew, on the cushion, 
of some one of his friends. When the regular services were about to commence, 
and the congregation became seated, the recipient of Nature's earliest product 
immediately became aware that some one of his friends had had the sagacity to 
overreach him in early vegetation. His curiosity, of course, was excited to as- 
certain the source of the Sunday present. Then, waiting until the clergyman 
began to read the morning lesson from the Bible, he would take the opportunity 
carelessly to scan the audience without attracting attention, to identify, if possible, 
his friend. The result always was that every one whom he suspected seemed to 
be paying strict attention to the words of the lesson, and to be very much inter- 
ested in it. What general conversation ensued, when he afterward met his 
church friends, has been kept secret. The practise of placing Sunday surprises 
in the pews continued generally throughout the season. 

Recollections of Thaddeus Edw.vrds. — " There was a room fitted up to 
hold religious services in the Briggs tavern, on the lake side of the building, 
built in 1806. The different denominations held services there. I think there 
was one Episcopal service held there, but am not certain. Do not recollect what 
time. 

" Religious services were held in the brick schoolhouse, over the bridge, on 
Potter lot. Elias Hicks spoke there at one time." — T. Edwards. 

History of the Daniel C. Robbins Place, now the Mingo Lodge. — The 
Daniel C. Robbins place originally belonged to Richard Talcott. It was a por- 
tion of about 224 acres that he purchased from G. Thorp, March 20, 1823; con- 



368 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

sideration, $6,000. Talcott erected a very handsome mansion upon it. This was 
located on the site of the present dwelHng. 

On June 2, 1836, he sold the property, 224 acres, to Richard L. De Zeng for 
$12,000. This advanced value included the new dwelling. 

De Zeng afterward sold 108.55 acres to F. M. Potter for $9,226.75. 

Richard Talcott, April 13, 1835 (before the sale to De Zeng), sold lands to 
Arthur Mott. Mott afterward deeded to Lydia P. ]\Iott, his mother, for a valu- 
able consideration, a life estate in 7.85 acres. 

On December 13, 1837, Arthur Mott sold to James Cannings Fuller 7.85 
acres ; consideration, $3,200. 

On November 5, 1841, James C. Fidler sold to F. M. Potter the same lands 
for $4,000. 

On September 23, 1841, Lydia P. Mott conveyed her interest to James C. 
Fuller; consideration, $1,500. 

On January 31, 1866, E. and E. C. Potter sold to G. W. Sharkey 108.55 acres 
and 7.85 acres. 

On July 13, 1868, Internal Revenue Collector S. P. Smith sold at public auc- 
tion the Sharkey interest in the above-named lands, for penalty and fines grow- 
ing out of the attempt in his tobacco business in New York to evade the Interna! 
Revenue law. 

On August 15, 1868, H. J. Hubbard conveyed to Antoniette Brown 108.55 
acres, also 7.85 acres; consideration, $5,400. 

May 3, 1870, Antoniette Brown to Stiles & Robbins, land contract ; considera- 
tion, $1,000. 

G. W. Sharkey to Stiles & Robbins, consideration $1. 

Antoniette Brown to B. F. Stiles, 108.55 acres, for $7,411.76. 

Robbins to B. F. Stiles, consideration $1. 

March 20, 1876, B. F. Stiles to Forest G. Weeks, consideration $16,000. 

Antoniette Brown to Daniel Robbins, 7.85 acres and 183.85 acres, considera- 
tion $10,588.24. 

Arthuk Mott. — Arthur Mott was the son of Lydia P. Mott, the famous 
Principal of the Friends Young Ladies' Boarding-School in this town. Arthur 
Mott began business about the year 1820, and had a woolen mill on the site of 
the old Coleman flouring-mill at Mottville. He was for some years a successful 
and prominent manufacturer, and a citizen of influence. Mottville was named 
from Arthur Mott. He finally succumbed to drink, and removed to the West, 
where he was cared for by relatives until his death, which occurred at Toledo, 
Ohio, October 30, 1869, aged seventy-one years. During his early mercantile 
career he was a man of exceptional business ability, and in his social relations he 
took and retained warm friendships, possessed a genial kindness of nature, and 
enjoyed the full confidence and respect of citizens of all classes. 

The First Steamboat Excursion to the Head of the Lake. — We are 
indebted to Mrs. Calvin Clark, of Marshall, Mich., through Mrs. S. A. Gifford, 



I 



HISTORY or SKANEATELES. 



369 



of tliis village, for the followinfj concerning early steamboating and sailing on 
Skaneateles Lake. Mrs. Clark was Miss Evalina Grevcs, is now eighty-five years 
old, and is probably the oldest native of this village now living: 

" At the time of Colonel \'redenburg's death he had a sail-boat in process of 
construction. It was finished and launched about where St. James' Church now 
stands. One who was present writes that the most remembered of the cere- 
mony was the calling for a name, when there were lusty shouts for ' The Four 
Sisters,' and I believe it was called by that name. Colonel Vredenburg had four 
daughters, and very interesting ladies they all were. That must have occurred 
nearly eighty years ago, and was it not probably the first sail-boat on our lake? 

" The following list of persons comprised the first steamboat party to the head 
of Skaneateles Lake in the Independence, Captain Wells, September 7, 1831. The 
Auburn band, consisting of twenty persons, accompanied the party and added 
much to the festivities of the occasion. 



Miss Maria Kellogg 
Miss Catharine Kellogg 
Miss Catharine Williams 
Miss Helen Sandford 
Miss Amelia Sandford 
Miss Almira Halscy 
Miss Delia Porter 
Miss Mary A. Watson 
Miss Maria Gibbs 
Miss Ann Eliza Gibbs 
Miss Mary Burnett 
Miss Eveline Burnett 
Miss Cornelia Burnett 
Miss Cornelia Francis 
Miss Julia Peck 
Miss Almira Cossitt 
Miss Juliette Legg, 
Miss Sarah Loomis 
Miss Evalina Greves 



Miss Jane Louisa Greves 
Miss Hclmena Hopkins 
Miss Emeline L. Marsh 
Miss Julia Furman 
Miss Zade Thorne 
Miss Louisa Thorne 
Miss Maria Tallcot 
Miss Sarah Tallcot 
Miss Eliza De Cost 
Miss Pamelia De Cost 
Miss C. H. Tailman 
Miss Janes 
Miss Sarah Hoyt 
Miss Clarke 
Miss Clarke 
Miss Hannum 
Miss Minerva Sherwood 
Miss Ballard 
Miss Julia Malthy 



Miss Electa Edwards 

Miss Harriet Hall 

S. P. Rhoadcs and lady 

Joseph S. Mott and lady 

Noadiah Kellogg and lady 

James G. Porter and lady 

A. G. Stansbury 

Samuel Francis 

James Jerome 

James Rasher 

Richard L. Allen 

Ebenerer Pardee 

L. H. Sandford 

John Greves 

George Francis 

Colvin D. Legg 

William Palmer 

Edward O. Gould 

C. J. Burnett, Jr., 

A. G. Jerome, 

J. P. Greves, Committee." 



The editor of the Auburn Ercc Press was one of the invited guests on the oc- 
casion above described, and in an editorial dated October 8, 1831, he thus dis- 
courses : 

"Skaneateles Lake. — On I'riday last, we were exceedingly gratifieil with an 
excursion to the head of this beautiful sheet of water, on hoard of the steam- 
boat Independence. Although the weather was not .so pleasant as might have 
been desired, yet the gentlemanly deportment of Captain Wells, the beauty and 
grandeur of the scenery to be found upon the banks of the Skaneateles. together 
with the charm of novcltv, attached to the idea of wafting over the snrf.icc f>f 



37° HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

our native lakes with the aid of steam, all served to render the scenes of the day 
among those upon which in other years we shall be disposed to look back with 
increased pleasure. We had intended to glean a few sketches from our rough 
notes relating to the various incidents of ' The Day,' but have only time at present 
to advise all those who wish to enjoy the pleasure of a jaunt upon the water, to 
gaze upon some of the most romantic scenes to be found in this region of hills 
and waves, of rocks and trees, or who wish to breathe for once the health-in- 
spiring breezes of the mountain, and at the same time suitably to encourage the 
spirit of enterprise so laudably exhibited by Captain Wells, to make up a party of 
our citizens, and upon the first fair day accomplish all these objects in the man- 
ner in which we have suggested." 

Matches. — Following the uses and description of the tinder-box on page 
8 of this volume, the following further appliances were in use at the period 
named : 

Next to the tinder-box came small sticks of wood, dipped first in sulphur, 
and then in a composition of chlorate of potash, flowers of sulphur, gum or sugar, 
and cinnabar for coloring. Accompanying these was a vial containing sulphuric 
acid, into which the match was dipped, when it immediately ignited by the chem- 
ical action induced between the acid and the chlorate of potash. The other in- 
gredients were added merely on account of their combustible qualities. To this 
match, which first succeeded the tinder-box, next came the lucifer match in 
1827-29, which was invented by John Walker, in England. 

Peat, or Muck. — Peat, or muck, is found in the swamps and low grounds 
of the town. The conditions for its productions are permanent moisture, with a 
subsoil of either clay or marl, impermeable to water. It is formed of successive 
growths of vegetation, which have died and become brown or black. It is spongy 
and retentive of water, and by successive growths has raised its bed, so that it 
appears in mounds and hillocks. In some localities this is aided greatly by 
deposits of this constantly forming beneath it. Usually the surface is soft, yield- 
ing to pressure, and trembling when walked upon. In the town of Clay, in this 
county, are extensive beds of peat, which, judging from experiments made, 
promise to be of great importance as fuel. 

Abraham Cuddeback. — Abraham Cuddcback was the father of Abraham 
A. Cuddeback, the first settler in this town. Although he never lived in this 
town, he died at Minisink, Orange County, N. Y., July 24, 1783. It is stated 
that our first settler, Abraham A. Cuddeback, brought his father's remains when 
he first came into this town, and interred them on his land. 

Elijah Manley. — The original Dr. Samuel Porter dwelling, which stood 
on the present H. L. Roosevelt property, was built by Elijah Manley,' carpenter 
and contractor. He was one of the first carpenters of Skaneateles. 

John Briggs built the tavern on the corner of Seneca Turnpike and West 
Lake Road (Shear place). He was Mrs. Hitchcock's father. He died June 
25, 1839, aged eighty-two years. 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 



CHAPTER XXV. 
The Skaneateles Water Works Company and Local History. 

The Skaneateles Water Works Company. — The first appearance of the 
Skaneateles Water Works Company in Skaneateles was recorded in the Book of 
Records of the Trustees, November 29, 1884, as follows : 

" A petition of out-of-town gentlemen for the privilege of erecting public 
water works came before the Board, upon which no action was taken." 

These out-of-town gentlemen proposed to the Trustees that, if they would 
bond the village for an amount to be agreed upon, they would put in a system 
of water works which would belong to the village, and which was to be perfectly 
satisfactory to the village authorities before being paid for. The contractors 
would accept either the bonds or the money arising from the sale of the bonds. 
If the Trustees had accepted that proposition, all the litigation which has since 
been before the courts would have been avoided. 

No further reference in the record is to be found until the month of May, 
1887, when a petition was presented to the Trustees, by John E. Waller and 
others, " in regard to forming a water works company." The next entry on the 
record was July 5, 1887, when a franchise was granted by the Trustees to John 
E. \\'aller, George H. Wicks, Lewis B. Fitch, Edwin E. Hall, J. K. Knox, John 
McNamara, Benjamin F. Petheram, and George Barrow. These persons thus, 
by being granted a franchise, became a corporation, under the name of " The 
Skaneateles Water Works Company." They stated in their petition to the 
Trustees that the proposed capital stock of the Skaneateles Water Works Com- 
pany was forty thousand dollars, to be divided into four hundred shares of 
one hundred dollars each. 

Now, as a matter of interest, the law under which these water companies are 
authorized to issue stock is as follows: Chapter 313 of the Laws of i88i provides 
that the capital stock shall be paid " in the manner and within the time provided 
by Chapter 40 of the Laws of 1848." Section 6 of this chapter reads as follows : 
" It shall be lawful for the officers to call in and demand from the stockholders, 
respectively, all such sums of money as by them subscribed, at such times and in 
such payments or instalments as the officers shall deem proper, under the penalty 
of forfeiting the shares of stock subscribed for." It may here be stated that in the 
testimony before the courts, in the litigation undertaken by this powerful corpora- 
tion to compel the village of Skaneateles to pay that Water Company heavy dam- 
ages, there was no evidence produced before any one of the courts, from the 
Referee to the Court of Appeals, that a single share of the four hundred shares 
n.nmrd in ilm iictition to the Trustees had ever been paid for! It was not ncces- 



37^ HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

sary for the officers to demand any money from the stockholders, as they had re- 
ceived the stock without any consideration, except for services rendered — paid 
for in services rendered, not money. The officers did not need any money, as 
the bonds issued had not only paid for the construction of the plant, but paid 
the promoters, " The American Pipe Manufacturing Company of New Jersey." 

The next record of the Skaneateles Water Works Company is copied from its 
certificate filed in the Onondaga Clerk's Office, as follows : " Authorizing that 
company to issue bonds, etc., for the purpose of constructing and perfecting its 
plant, needs to borrow additional capital, and it is deemed desirable to secure the 
same by means of first mortgage bonds. Now, therefore, we, Edward S. Perot, 
owning 370 shares, C. H. Jackson, owning 5 shares, James P. McQuade, owning 
5 shares, and owning more than two-thirds of the capital stock of said company," 
etc. This meeting of the Skaneateles Water Works Company was held August 
21, 1890. These individuals who claim to own two-thirds of the capital stock 
of the Skaneateles Water Works Company did issue to the American Loan and 
Trust Company of New York (under the Laws of 1873, passed June 12) eighty 
bonds of $500 each ($40,000), with interest coupons attached. These bonds 
were dated September i, 1890, to become due August 31, 1920. These bonds 
were executed by Caleb H. Jackson, President, and James P. McQuade, Sec- 
retary. 

Now the question arises. Were the names signed to the bonds, amounting to 
$40,000, the " Skaneateles Water Works Company" ? What right had these 
men to issue $40,000 worth of mortgage bonds? The only Skaneateles Water 
Works Company known to the citizens of the village of Skaneateles were John 
E. Waller, George H. Wicks, Lewis B. Fitch, Edwin E. Hall, J. K. Knox, John 
McNamara, Benjamin F. Petheram, and George Barrow. How is it that these 
incorporators, who obtained the franchise, and in whose possession it was, should 
have allowed Jackson and McQuade to execute in the name of the Skaneateles 
Water Works Company $40,000 mortgage bonds? This question has never been 
answered or explained. 

The above-named incorporators stated in their application to the Trustees 
that the capital stock was $40,000, in shares $100 each. As a corporation they 
had the power to issue that amount of stock, but, really, they did not issue any. 
They were not incorporated for that purpose! 

Another interesting phase of the subject under consideration was a letter writ- 
ten by J. W. Hawley, President of the Water Company (as the company had 
several presidents, George Barrow was one). That letter was dated April 6, 
1896, in which was the following paragraph : 

" These water works were built for the Skaneateles Water Works Company 
partly by a company in New York City, who were unable to complete the same, 
which was done by the American Pipe Manufacturing Company of Philadelphia, 
who held the stock issued. The bonded debt was $40,000, which was spent entire 
on the works and was not sufficient to complete the work. I purchased of the 



inslOKV Ol- SK.hXEATELES. 373 

American Pipe Company $20,000 of the stock of the Company, and afterward 
$10,000 of Mr. Hall, of Skaneatcles." 

That letter of J. W. Hawicy's is a curiosity in many dircctiuiis. He says that 
the water works were built by a company in New York city. The evidence be- 
fore the Referee at Syracuse, at the commencement of the litigation, shows by 
the testimony of the chief incorporator that there never was such a company 
which put in the works. Hawley also states that the American Pipe Manu- 
facturing Company of Philadelphia, who owned tlie stock issued, completed the 




,I,AGE OF SKANEATELES FRO.M WEST SHORE, NEAR BOAT-lIUlSE. 
Surface of the Lokc forms a Mirror, which reflect* the Shore. 



works. .Now, this American Pipe Manufacturing Co. was a Xew Jersey corpo- 
ration, and J. W. Hawley was one of the incorporators (nine in number), and only 
subscribed for two shares of its stock. The capital stock of that corporation was 
$1,000,000. The incorporators only subscribed for twenty shares in all. These 
shares were $100 each. There were 10,000 shares, at $100 per share, and the in- 
corporators, including J. W. Hawley, only subscribed for twenty .shares. It is very 
doubtful whether there ever was a Skaneateles Water Works Company, except the 
village incorporators who received the franchise from the village Trustees. Ever 
since these incorporators transferred that franchise to the American Pipe Manu- 



374 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

facturiiig Company of New Jersey, that company and its agents has been the 
Skaneateles Water Works Company. Jackson, McQuade, and Perot, who mort- 
gaged the plant for $40,000, are in all probability stockholders or agents of the 
New Jersey Corporation alluded to. 

The first annual report of this company, as required by the laws of this State, 
was filed with the Secretary of State at Albany. In this report we have the 
names of the president and a majority of the directors of the Skaneateles Water 
Works Company, who are named as follows : George Barrow, Charles E. Bar- 
row, Edwin E. Hall, Edward S. Perot, W. H. Perot, Jr., James Skeen, Jr., 
James W. Hawley, and The American Pipe Manufacturing Co. The Pipe 
Company is named in the report as a director. The President is probably 
George Barrow, being first named. Five out of the eight named are the specu- 
lators who comprise a majority of this board of officers of the Skaneateles Water 
Works Company. The annual report further states that the capital stock is 
$40,000; actually paid in (?) $40,000. (This a deception.) 

Invested here in the village thus far: Assets, franchise, plant, cash $80,000 
(from record). 

Here follows another record: 

Skaneateles Water Works Company. 
Certificate of Increase of Capital Stock. 
We, the undersigned, George Barrow, Chairman, and John Burton, Secretary, respec- 
tively of a special meeting of the stockholders of the Skaneateles Water Works Company, 
a domestic stock corporation, held for the purpose of increasing its capital stock, as adver- 
tised in the Skaneateles Democrat, December 4, 1894. 

James W. Hawley 
N. H. Thompson 
George Barrow 
W. S. Perot 
C. E. Barrow. 

Three out of the five were probably the representatives of the American Pipe 
Manufacturing Company of New Jersey. Hawley and Perot were certainly. 

The amount of stock issued so far as known, according to evidence before 
Referee : 

George Barrow, for services as counsel $30,000 

J. W. Hawley, who is now said to be President of the 

company, 33,ooo 

Edwin E. Hall, who had no knowledge of how he got it. . 10,000 
The seven incorporators, $1,000 each 7,000 



Here is $80,000 worth of stock, besides the stock held by the American Pipe 
Manufacturing Company of New Jersey. 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 375 

In one of J. W. Hawley's letters as published, dated February 7, 1895, the fol- 
lowing pastoral effusion occurs : " For the feeling of the company toward the 
village is of the kindest, and we only ask for help during the emergency." The 
lion had the kindest feeling for the lamb! 

J. W. Hawley, in his letter to the Water Commissioners, stated among other 
items that the American Pipe Manufacturing Company held all the stock of the 
Skaneateles Water Works Company. This is considered as a matter of course. 

The evidence before the Referee at Syracuse indicated that not a single share 
of stock was paid for in money. George Barrow obtained his 30,000 shares for 
legal services, and probably other stockholders were in other ways useful to the 
American Pipe Manufacturing Company. 

The Village Trustees made a contract with the Water Company, April 23, 
1889, for five years. This was effected without consultation with the taxpayers. 
It has always been the practise on previous occasions, when any extraordinary 
matter was brought to the attention of the village officers, to consult the tax- 
payers by taking an informal vote for advice; but in this instance the taxpayers 
were not consulted, and the contract was executed accordingly. Soon after the 
contract became publicly known, two petitions were presented to the Board of 
Trustees protesting against the action of the Trustees, one of which was signed by 
one hundred and sixteen taxpayers, of which the following is a copy : 

" We, the undersigned taxpayers of the village of Skaneateles, hereby protest 
against the contract heretofore entered into by the Trustees of this village with 
the Skaneateles Water Works Company without the knowledge or consent of the 
taxpayers. And believing such contract was unauthorized, and that the public in- 
terests do not demand so great an outlay, and that the question should have at 
least been submitted to a vote of the people, we hereby ask your Honorable Board 
to disaffirm and rescind such contract, and refuse to act under it, unless legally 
compelled to do so." 

The Trustees took no action upon this formidable protest, which comprised a 
large majority of the taxpayers. They merely ordered the Clerk to place it on 
file. The other petition was also a protest from other taxpayers, worded dif- 
ferently. The want of official courtesy and decent action in the reception of such 
formidable protests would seem to show that the issue of unlimited shares of stock 
had not been issued in vain. 

The promoters, C. H. Jackson, James P. McQuade, and Edward S. Perot, 
having issued $40,000 in six per cent, mortgage bonds, representing themselves 
as the Skaneateles Water Works Company, by so doing, and claiming to hold two- 
thirds of the capital stock of the company, carried off (not to New Jersey, but to 
Philadelphia) the bonds and the two-thirds of the stock as their profit in this 
business. 

The next persons to get paid for their work in promoting this Water Company 
were the original incorporators, through whose industry the franchise was ob- 
tained. They obtained the franchise under several conditions, two of which were, 



376 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

first, that the plant and works were to be completed and in full working order 
within two years, and, secondly, that such franchise was not to be sold to any 
person or persons outside of the village of Skaneateles. Neither of these condi- 
tions was obeyed. In respect to the first one, the plant was not attempted to be 
put in within two years. It was very probable that the promoters advised the in- 
corporators how they could get their share of the profits of establishing the 
Skaneateles Water Works Company by selling the franchise to outside parties, 
and to various firms throughout this and other States who make it their business 
to buy franchises. This plan was, perhaps, adopted, and much correspondence 
took place with that end in view ; but it seems that these firms had no confidence 
in the purchase of a franchise given by the Trustees of the village of Skaneateles. 
If the exclusive use of the streets had been included in the franchise, undoubtedly 
it would have been salable to the contracting firms. Therefore, the promoters of 
the Skaneateles Water Works Company were here at the date of that pretended 
meeting, December 14, 1889, according to the Free Press "Rambler," which stated 
as follows: 

" Representatives of the water company which put in the works at Jordan 
were in town last week, and I hear they secured the right and title of the Skane- 
ateles Water Company, together with an extension of the franchise of the latter 
company and its contract with the village. The works are to be put in this sum- 
mer." 

These speculators in all probability made arrangements to have a record placed 
on the Book of Records of the village Trustees which would make it authori- 
tatively appear that the franchise had been legally extended. They knew that the 
franchise would become extinct after the expiration of two years. Anticipating 
that event, they came here and made arrangements to have that record placed in 
the book (in the opinion of the author). It is very probable that the chief incor- 
porator protested very decidedly against the statement of the "Rambler," which 
would be very natural. 

There is no external evidence that that meeting of the Trustees to extend the 
franchise of the Skaneateles Water Works Company was ever held. Neither of 
the village papers published it. John D. Barrow, whom the pretended meeting, 
by resolution, appointed as Clerk pro tem., had been summoned as a witness at a 
term of the Supreme Court, at Syracuse, April 17, 1S98, and stated to the court 
and counsel (not being on the witness stand) that he had not the least recollec- 
tion of attending any such meeting of the Trustees, or having been by resolution 
elected Clerk pro tem. He could not be persuaded to be sworn as a witness (as 
understood by the author). T. Kelley, at the same time, while testifying as a wit- 
ness, insisted that at all meetings of the village Trustees there was always a Presi- 
dent pro tem. appointed when the President was absent, but he had no recollection 
of that meeting. When S. E. Benedict was on the witness stand, he was asked by 
counsel to take the book of minutes and look them over, and state what was done 
at that meeting. Benedict replied that " there was no vote taken, except on the 



HISTORY or SKAA'EATELES. 377 

motion to adjourn." Xo vote taken on the resolution to extend the francliise of 
the water company for one year! At that remarkable (pretended) meeting, 
there was no President present, no President pro tem., no chairman. Although 
the record stated that T. Kelley made a motion to extend the franchise, it was not 
seconded. Under the rules of the Board of Trustees, and under the custom, a 
motion not seconded is never brought before the meeting. Xo vote was recorded 
in the minutes. None was taken ! 

Now, if the above is not sufficient to prove that the franchise was not ex- 
tended, the following further statement will convince the most skeptical : 

" The Referee, at the commencement of the water company's litigation, de- 
cided, from the evidence brought before him, that the franchise was renewed." 

Evidence shows that the franchise was not renewed. The following is an 
exact copy of the record of Trustees : 

" Now, therefore, the said company having applied for a renewal and extension of said 
franchise and term. 

" Resolved, That said franchise as recorded in the village Record be, and the same is 
hereby, renewed, and the term of the completion of the work is hereby extended until De- 
cember I. i8go, on condition that said franchise shall be void if said company shall not have 
completed its work within one year from December i, 1889; it being understood that the 
contract made by said village with said company shall continue to be binding upon said 
company, and this franchise is renewed upon that condition. 

" The resolution was thereupon adopted. 

" On motion of Mr. Kelley, seconded by Mr. Shepard, the meeting then adjourned sine 
die. 

" Accepted. 

" J. D. Barrow, Clerk pro tem." 

The following is copied from the printed evidence by authority of which the 
Kcferee decided that the franchise had been extended by the Trustees: 

" Now, therefore, the said company having applied for a renewal and extension of said 
franchise and term. 

" Resolved, That said franchise as recorded in the village Record be, and the same is 
hereby, renewed, and the term of the completion of the work is hereby extended until De- 
cember I, 1890, on condition that said franchise shall be void if said company shall not 
have completed its work within one year from December I, 1899; it being understood that 
the contract made by said village with said company shall continue to be binding upon said 
company, and this franchise is renewed upon that condition. 

" The resolution was thereupon adopted, on motion of Mr. Kelley. secundcd by Mr. 
Shepard. 

" The meeting then adjourned sine die. 

" J. D. Barrow, Clerk pro tem." 

Notice the difference between the closing paragraph of the above copy of the 
printed evidence that was brought before the Referee, and the actual copy of the 



378 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

Record first above printed. These paragraphs can be better understood by here 
printing them : 

" On motion of Mr. Kelley, seconded by Mr. Shepard, the meeting then ad- 
journed sine die." 

" The resolution was thereupon adopted, on motion of Mr. Kelley, seconded by 
Mr. Shepard. 

" The meeting then adjourned sine die." 

In order to give a full history of this subject, it will be necessary to make the 
following statement personally. 

Immediately after I first saw the printed evidence in the matter of the litiga- 
tion by the Skaneateles Water Works Company against the village of Skaneateles, 
I had a negative taken from the Book of Record, from which negative I had four 
copies printed of different sizes of print. These were intended to prove my asser- 
tion that the sentence in the record, " the resolution was thereupon adopted," had 
been subsequently added to the Record. After receiving the photographs, I 
found that the Record was the very best evidence, because the handwriting 
showed that the added sentence had been written at a different time from the pre- 
ceding, there having been a gloss on the preceding writing, while the sentence 
criticized had no gloss. Having these photographs on hand, I desired to inter- 
view Mr. Morgan, the stenographer. I called on him at his office in the Court 
House, Syracuse, showed him the printed evidence and the photograph, and asked 
him if the printed evidence had been copied by him. He replied that it was not 
copied by him, but by Mr. Comstock, the stenographer of Justice Hiscock. I 
asked where I could find him. Morgan then showed me Judge Hiscock's office 
near by. I at once went into that office, and asked to see Mr. Comstock, when he 
came out of an adjoining room. I showed him the book of printed evidence taken 
before the Referee, and the photograph copy of the Record, and asked him if he 
copied the printed evidence from the Record Book. He replied immediately 
that it had been dictated to him ! 

This dictation was made to appear, " The resolution was thereupon adopted 
on motion of Mr. Kelley, seconded by Mr. Shepard." 

This dictation to Stenographer Comstock, printed in the evidence taken be- 
fore the Referee, which had not previously become known to me until I read it in 
the printed evidence, and which was false, and known to be false by the Water 
Works Company, had passed before all the courts in this State up to the court 
of final resort. All the courts have decided against the Water Company even 
with this false and important evidence in its favor, which was unknown until I 
discovered it. 

The Attorney of the Skaneateles Water Works Company took the Book of 
Records from the village Clerk at the hearing before the Referee, and a dicta- 
tion from that Record was given to Stenographer Comstock by an agent of the 
Pipe Company as official evidence. It was, in my opinion, dictated by Attorney 
Barrow. 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 379 

The representatives of the Jordan Water Company, mentioned in the Free 
Press' '• Rambler's " statement above, were Caleb H. Jackson, James P. McQuade, 
and Edward S. Perot. It was to these three persons were sold the franchise of 
the Skaneateles Water Works Company, and the extension of the franchise, and 
the contract with the village. They were non-residents of the village, decidedly 
so. Therefore the original conditions of the grant of the franchise by the village 
Frustees were broken, which rendered the franchise null and void. 

The following is a copy of the certificate filed in the County Clerk's Office, 
which authorized the issue of $10,000 bonds by the Skaneateles Water Works 
Company. This certificate was never recorded; it was only filed. Its date of 
filing was Januarj* 22, 1895 : 

" Consent of stockholders to mortgage to the Delaware County Trust Com- 
pany, etc. The following are the names of the stockholders : 
B. W. Hawley, owning 237 shares. 
George Barrow, " 145 " 

N. H. Thompson, " 5 " 

A. M. Hawley, " 5 

Chas. E. Barrow, " 5 

Edward S. Perot, " i " " 

Here are 398 shares, represented by si.x persons, four of whom are not resi- 
dents of Skaneateles. 

Now, in respect to the Jordan Water Company, a prominent business gentle- 
man of Jordan states : " The Jersey Pipe Manufacturing Company came to Jor- 
dan in 1888 and organized a company, called the Jordan Water Company, the 
stockholders being all of Philadelphia and New York city men, and put in a 
system of water works. After their work was completed in Jordan, they went to 
Skaneateles and put in the pipe for your people. The Jordan company sold their 
bonds in New York, and the bondholders sold the system to parties in Auburn 
and Moravia, who still own and operate it in Jordan, under the name of the 'Jor- 
dan Water Company.' " It would secrh from the above statement that the bond- 
holders were the parties who sold the right and title, the extended franchise, and 
the contract with the village to the representatives of the Jordan Water Company. 
That must have been the way that the Skaneateles Water Company was sold. 

The presumption, therefore, of the foregoing history of the Skaneateles Water 
Company is that its franchise is and was void, and that the evidence brought be- 
fore the Referee at Syracuse was false, and knowingly so by the person who dic- 
tated the pretended copy of the record of the minutes of the village Trustees to 
Stenographer Comstock. 

Now, it will be of further interest to the people of Skaneateles to know some- 
thing about the American Pipe Manufacturing Company of New Jersey. In one 
of J. W. Hawley's letters he stated that this was a Philadelphia company. In 
order to get some information about this company, I wrote to the Secretary of 



38o 



HISTORY OF SKASEATELES. 



the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, at Harrisburg. and requested a copy of the 
charter or organization of the American Pipe Manufacturing Company of Phil- 
adelphia, and to state what the charge would be. In reply it was stated that the 
Pipe Company was not a Pennsylvania corporation, but a New Jersey corpora- 
tion ; and that the American Pipe Manufacturing Company had filed a certificate 




in his ofificc, under a law of the State entitled " An Act to prohibit Foreign Cor- 
porations from doing Business in Pennsylvania without having Known Places of 
Business and Authorized Agents." I received a copy of this certificate, which 
is filled out by Jos. J. Keen, Jr., Vice-President of the Pipe Company, stating that 
the principal office of the company was at Camden, N. J., and that " the object of 
said corporation is the manufacture and sale of wrought iron pipe lined with 



HISTORY or SK.lMi.lTELES. .?8i 

cement, &c." This " &c." covers a multitude of powers, as will be seen by the 
following powers of the American Pipe Manufacturing Company of New Jersey, 
a full copy of whose certificate I obtained from the Department of State at Tren- 
ton, X. J. : 

" That the objects for which the company is formed are as follows: namely, for the pur- 
pose of carrying on within the State of New Jersey, and the adjoining State of Pennsyl- 
vania, and the other States and Territories of the United States of America, and every 
portion thereof, the manufacture of Phipps' patent hydraulic pipe, and other pipe, for the 
use of water, gas, electric light and power, or natural gas companies, or for use for sewers 
or drains, or any other purpose; and the business of selling and disposing of the same, and 
also the business of contracting with any person or persons, or any corporation, municipal 
or otherwise, having the riglit, power, or franchise to build and construct water supply 
works, gas works, electric light and power plants, or natural gas plants, or any other works 
of improvement within said States and Territories, or either of them, to build, construct, 
enlarge, or complete such water supply works, gas works, electric light and power plants, 
or natural gas plants, or any other works of improvement, or any part or portion thereof, 
and to receive in payment, in whole or in part, therefor shares of the capital stock or bonds 
of any of the above described corporations, or securities issued by any government. State, 
county, city, or other corporation, municipal or otherwise, and to sell the same; and to 
lease, purchase, hold, assign, convey, mortgage, and exchange real or personal property or 
contracts, and for the purposes of said business to issue bonds secured by mortgage or mort- 
gages upon the property and franchises of the said company, together with the right to pur- 
chase and hold any patents, or reissues, renewals, improvements, modifications, and exten- 
sions thereof, and the right to manufacture, use, and sale of devices or appliances applicable 
to the business of the said company, and the right of sale or other disposition, whether ter- 
ritorial or otherwise, of the same, and together with all and everything incidental to the 
promotion of the objects and purposes aforesaid. 

"The principal office of the company will be located and maintained in the said city of 
Camden; and the portion of the business of the company which is to be carried on out of 
this State in the said City of Philadelphia is such portion thereof of an ordinarily adminis- 
trative character, as can be conveniently and legally transacted there. 

"That the total amount of the capital stock of said company is one million dollars; the 
number of shares into which the same is divided is ten thousand, and the par value of each 
share is one hundred dollars; the amount with which the said company will commence busi- 
ness is two thousand dollars, which is divided into twenty shares, of a par value of one 
hundred dollars each." 

The above quotation is copied from the official organization of the American 
Pipe Manufacturing Company of New Jersey, and it is explanatory of the " &c." 
.ippended to its certificate filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealtli of Penn- 
-\lvania, hereinbefore copied. Tlie copy that I have of tiie organization of this 
•mpany in Xew Jersey is a certified copy by the Secretary of State, with the 
tlicial seal attached. It is particularly interesting in connection with our local 
Skancateles Water Works Company. 

All the preceding sliows conclusively to my mind that the local incorporators 
were mere deputies (to haul the chestnuts out of the fire) for the American Pipe 
Manufacturing Company of Xew Jersey. Tiieir whole duty was, in the first 
place, to secure a franchise from the village Trtistees, and after that was secured 



382 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

the next duty was to file a certificate in the office of the Secretary of State at 
Albany. After that 'was accomplished, the incorporators became a domestic stock- 
corporation of the State of New York. The incorporators having hauled the 
chestnuts out of the fire for the American Pipe Manufacturing Company, their 
duties ended here. They never had any power to put in water works within two 
years; never had power to issue stock; in fact, the local incorporators at once 
became extinct as a corporation. From the time of their extinction, the Ameri- 
can Pipe Manufacturing Company of New Jersey became in all respects the 
Skaneateles Water Works Company, and in all the litigation through all the courts 
of this State against the village of Skaneateles, myself, and other officers, this 
Jersey company, under the guise of the name of the Skaneateles Water Works 
Company, has been the actual plaintiff in all the proceedings against the village. 

The names of the persons who have represented the Skaneateles Water Works 
Company are as follows: George Barrow, as its President, signed the contract 
for five years with the village President, April 23, 1889. Edward S. Perot, 
James P. McQuade, and C. H. Jackson issued $40,000 mortgage bonds, August 
24, 1890. The bonds were executed by Caleb H. Jackson as President, and 
James P. McQuade as Secretary. There is no recorded evidence by whom the 
$40,000 of stock was issued. In a letter written by James W. Hawley, as Presi- 
dent of the Skaneateles Water Works Company, dated April 6, 1896, he states 
that the American Pipe Manufacturing Company held all the stock issued (which 
is undoubtedly true), and that he purchased from that company $20,000 of its 
stock, which is very doubtful, as he was one of the incorporators, and he had pur- 
chased $10,000 of stock from Mr. Hall, of Skaneateles. 

The annual report of the company, dated January 15, 1892, was signed by its 
President and a majority of its Directors, as follows : George Barrow, Charles 
E. Barrow, Edwin E. Hall, The American Pipe Manufacturing Company, W. 
H. Perot, James Skeen, Jr., James W. Hawley, and Edward S. Perot. (Presi- 
dent's name not designated.) The meeting to increase the capital stock to $10,000 
was held December 4, 1894, and was signed by James W. Hawley, N. H. Thom- 
son, W. S. Perot, George Barrow, and C. E. Barrow. 

The conclusion from the foregoing statement is that the organization hereto- 
fore known as the Skaneateles Water Works Company has no franchise. Such 
was not extended by the village Trustees, as claimed at a meeting pretended to 
have been held December 14, 1889, consequently this pretended water works com- 
pany has no standing in court. The American Pipe Manufacturing Company of 
New Jersey has been the actual plaintiff in all the proceedings against the village 
of Skaneateles, depending for its authority to prosecute this village upon a false 
dictation from the record before the Referee at Syracuse, at the commencement 
of this extended litigation. 

In order to meet any adverse decision by the Supreme Court of the United 
States, to whom the Skaneateles Water Works Company have appealed, which is 
now before that court at the present writing (February, 1901), against the vil- 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 3>i3 

lage of Skaneatelcs, E. Norman Leslie, as President and individually, et al., I 
have placed in the safe of the Skaneateles Savings Bank for safe keeping two 
propositions of legal evidence in courts of record of the State of New York, by 
which a new trial can be had under newly discovered evidence by the village, by 
which the Skaneateles \\'atcr Works Company will eventually be defeated. 

As a part of the history of the Skaneateles Water Works Company, it will be 
of general interest in this connection to include a communication, written by my- 
self and published in the Skaneateles Democrat, March 4, 1896, at which time I 
had been nominated for the office of President, with John E. Waller opposed : 

" The Only Question now is. Municipal Ownership of a Water Plant, 

Either by the purchase of the present plant, at a sum not exceeding $30,000, or 
an entire new one of our own. This is the real question to be decided at the next 
municipal election for officers of this village for the ensuing year. It would be 
a fatal error not to settle this momentous subject now, while we have no contract 
with the water company and are consequently free from its domination or in- 
fluence. 

" The whole question of municipal ownership will now rest with the voters 
of this village, to whom by their votes they will intrust this present subject to 
the persons whom they will elect as officers of this village for the ensuing year. 

'■ All the nominations made by the people's party have been made solely to 
meet the subject of municipal ownership, and the persons so nominated are a 
unit on that as well as on other questions affecting the people's rights. Some of 
our people, who do not understand the situation, are impatient at the inaction of 
the present Trustees respecting the water question. Such parties must under- 
stand that an effort is now being made by the water works companies to get a 
law passed by the present legislature to forever prevent any village from put- 
ting in their own plant, and also to compel villages who want to purchase 
the old works to pay from two to three times what they had originally cost. If 
this becomes a law, our ownership will become impossible. So we must be pa- 
tient and fight this bad bill. 

" If I should be selected for the office of President for another year, my whole 
energies would be devoted to municipal ownership. It may not be generally 
known that I alone have been in active charge of the subject for the defeat of 
the Malby bill now before the Legislature, without assistance from any other 
person, except persons employed at my expense. I am satisfied that my efforts 
in this direction have been successful. The Syracuse Standard, from the fact 
of my letter to its editor, has been of great assistance in educating the public 
on the necessity of defeating the passage of this effort to pass this law. 

" I am heartily in favor of continuing the present condition of not making a 
contract with the water company. The houses and dwellings of this village are 
unusually safe against destruction by fire, just as much so as we were safe from 
fire before the present water works were placed in our streets. We are safe 



384 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

from the fact that nearly all the present dwellings were constructed in earlier 
times when balloon frames and cheap work were unknown, and, besides, our 
housewives have always been very careful about fires. 

" An important item is that the only fuel now used is anthracite coal, and the 
stoves for its use are perfectly safe from danger, and it is very doubtful whether 
there are now any wood fires used for household purposes. In my opinion, any 
large fire insurance company could take all the risks in this village at half what 
is now charged, and make money, and without loss, if a proper inspection should 
be made, would be safe beyond question. 

" But as it is now, we have no remedy but to submit to pay heavy rates to 
benefit the large cities. 

E. Norman Leslie, President." 

The voters of the village indorsed my views as expressed in this communica- 
tion, and elected myself President at the election immediately following the pre- 
sentment of my position in reference to municipal ownership. Had I been de- 
feated, the Water Works Company would have been in full sway, and the village 
would now be paying fifty dollars annually for every hydrant, and private takers 
would pay double rates for every faucet, and never afterward would the village 
be able to purchase the plant, including its miserable cement pipes, at a less sum 
than $150,000 or $200,000. 

Scraping the Snow from the Sidewalks in Winter. — How it origi- 
nated. — During the winter of 1866-67, snow fell to the depth of four feet, oblig- 
ing pedestrians to wade through it to reach the post-office and other parts of the 
village. This was the experience of the author, and in order to provide for any 
future contingency of this character he drew up a bill, and had it introduced into 
the Legislature of 1867. The bill became a law. It was an amendment of Chap- 
ter 148 of the Laws of 1867, as follows : 

" Section 5. The said Trustees shall have power, and it shall be their duty, 
to cause the removal of snow, ice, or other obstruction from the sidewalks in said 
village, and to defray and pay the expense of the same, and to keep at least one 
sidewalk of each street free from obstruction at all times for the use of pedes- 
trians. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer of said village to reserve and set 
apart from the moneys received by him from the annual highway tax the sum of 
two hundred dollars, which shall constitute an exclusive fund for the payment 
of requisitions on him by the Trustees for the aforesaid purpose. The said Trus- 
tees shall not pay or cause the Treasurer to pay out any money from the said 
exclusive fund for any other purpose than is herein provided, until the first 
day of April in each year ; after which the balance of said fund may be appro- 
priated by the Trustees to any other purpose consistent with the provisions of this 
act." 

This law went into eflfect immediately, and every year since 1868 two hun- 
dred dollars has regularly been appropriated by the Trustees for clearing the side- 



HISTORY or SKAXEATELES. 3«S 

walks from snow and ice, until within the past five years, when the appropriation 
by the Trustees has been lessened in amount, without cause. 

There are eight and a half miles of streets in the village, consequently there 
are seventeen miles of sidewalks on both sides the streets, and, owing to competi- 
tion by men owning teams of horses having no other source of employment, the 
terms per single trip over the eight miles of sidewalks in the whole village have 
been reduced by competition to two and a half dollars. One trip requires the 




TEN MILE POINT, WHICH I.S IN THE FOREOROUNU, LOOKINO NORTH. 

It is on the Eom Shore of the Lake. The Small Propeller happened to come within ran^e of the 
Camera by accident. It indlcatea one of the Plcaaurable Pa.stimei> of Skaneatele^ Lake. 

lal)or of two men and two horses. Sometimes when the snow becomes covered 
with ice two horses on one scraper, together with a plow lashed to the side of the 
scraper, are required to do the work properly. 

This grand scheme of clearing the sidewalks from snow and ice during the 
winter season is not known or practised in any other village in the State. It 
is a purely Skancateles invention. The effect of this great convenience is that 
every sidewalk througiiout the village has a path four feet in width, ctit like a 
canal through the snow and down to the surface of the sidewalk, at early daylight 



386 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

every morning after a snow-storm. Those who secure the contract for the season 
have acquired perfection in the work, cutting the paths very straight. Early com- 
petition for this work brought in poor men and poor horses at very low rates. 
The Trustees then supposed they were economizing by accepting low bids for 
the work. The consequence was that the work was not done properly, and pedes- 
trians were continually making complaint. The Trustees have since learned to 
employ the best men and the strongest horses. At any other time during the year 
the same men and their teams could not be had for double the money they receive 
in winter time. There is no other expenditure of money received from taxation 
that all the residents of the village get more value from and more comfort from 
than the cost of scraping the snow from the sidewalks here in the village of 
Skaneateles. All ordinances and all laws enacted by any Board of Trustees 
making it the duty of every person to keep the sidewalks in front of his premises 
clear of snow or other obstruction have been, as a general rule, disregarded and 
have never been enforced, therefore the snow-scraper has met with universal ap- 
proval. 

Jonathan Kneeland. — Dr. Jonathan Kneeland was born February lo, 1813, 
in a log cabin between Skaneateles and Otisco Lake. He was a precocious youth, 
devouring everything he could find in the way of literature. When eleven years 
of age he became a student in medicine under Dr. Jeremiah B. Whiting, of Cayuga 
County, but soon returned to his father's log house. When sixteen he again left 
home, this time without leave, and attended district, select, and academic schools. 
He then weighed ninety pounds. He taught two winter terms of school of four 
and five months each, and experienced all the questionable delights of " boardin" 
'round." In after-life he never resided in this town. 

In the old ledgers and other account-books which gave the names of early set- 
tlers and others who traded here are found the following names of Kneelands : 
Amasa Kneeland, who taught school in the vicinity of Nathan Leonard's inn 
(Joab Clift's) ; Asa Kneeland, who traded here in 1805, taught school, and, ac- 
cording to Nathaniel Miller, was a carpenter and joiner in 1807. Horace and 
Warren Kneeland were here in 1818. 

Samuel C. Wheadon. — Samuel C. Wheadon was born in Marcellus, October 
19, 1802, removed to Mottville in 1824, and died in Skaneateles June 8, 1881. He 
engaged in the foundry and manufacturing business, kept a hotel, served as 
Deputy Sheriff several years, and in 1848 became a merchant, and continued so 
until his death. 

The Civil War. — On June 25, 1862, the Ladies' Aid Society was organized, 
with Mrs. Anson Lapham, President ; Mrs. William H. Jewett, Vice-President ; 
Mrs. H. Piatt, Secretary, and Miss E. A. Lapham, Treasurer, for the purpose of 
assisting soldiers at the front. They performed a noble work in forwarding cloth- 
ing and supplies and ameliorating the hardships of army life. 

An Illustration of the Uncertainty of Human Life. — The ravages of 
relentless time are exemplified by the signatures of one hundred well-known citi- 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



387 



zens of the village of Skaneateles to a public document thirty-eight years ago. 
The names are as follows : 



Newell Turner 
Horace Hazen 
J. H. Vanderburgh 
Peter M. Pelle 
Thomas Dyer 
John Grime 
Worthy Gibbons 
Orson Young 
A. Hitchcock 
S. C. Hemingway 
G. T. Campbell 
Jason Reed 
John Packwood 
S. B. Hitchcock 
Benjamin Forshee 
S. C. Wheadon 
Harry Briggs 

C. W. De Witt 
Charles B. Isbell 
L. D. Wait 
John Rossiter 
Schuyler Moore 
Sereno Field 
George R. Ashpole 
Samuel Stewart 
Daniel Wheeler 
George B. Hall 
Richard Huxtable 
Augustus Kellogg 
Stephen Vanderburgh 
Susan Newton 

D. A. Rupp 
Eastwood Allen 



George Paul 
Henry D. Huxford 
F. E. Austin 
Chester Moses 
John Beatty 
Joseph Bird 
James M. Brown 
M. Schooley 
Thomas A. Benedict 
John Wheeler 
William Packwood 
John Day 
John Kellogg 

E. E. Austin 
Daniel Hall 
William G. Slade 
Harvey Piatt 

P. Harris 
L. Hall 

F. G. Weeks 
Richard Talcott 
S. A. Daniels 
H. Cornell 
Thomas Drakcford 
Lyman Loveland 
Jerry Shallish 
Elias Thorne 
Lois Kellogg 
Thaddeus Edwards 
C. K. Leitch 
Columbus Weston 
Simon Cook 
Fayette Allen 
John Dwycr 



John Winniel 
G. C. Bradford 
N. S. Spencer 
Peter Thompson 
D. R. Banks 
W. M. Beauchamp 

D. Kellogg Leitch 
J. W. Sternes 

M. S. Butler 

A. T. Deuel 
S. Hannum 
Daniel Kellogg 
James Fitzgerald 
Nicholas Potter 
James A. Welling 
William R. Gorton 
Eliza Griffin 
Salmon Sherwood 

E. L. Stiles 
George Davis 

B. B. Reddish 
Z. B. Furmaii 
Joseph Jay 
James Tyler 
Alonzo Gillett 
Richard E. Loss 
L. Bartlett 
Henry Webb 
John Hudson 
Rebecca Lithcrland 
John Roudley 
Benoni Lee 
Charles Smith 



Of the above lengthy list of names, who were well known, only nine are now 
living, as follows : 



Newell Turner 
F. E. Austin 
George B. Hall 



John Rossiter 

F. G. Weeks 

G. C. Bradford 



Jerrv Shallish 
L. Hall 
George Davis. 



388 HISTORY 01- SK.IXEATELES. 

The village officers were : Harrison B. Dodge, James A. Welling, Benja- 
min Petherani, and H. Q. Knight. All these have passed away. 

The recital of the above is cause for reflection as to the uncertainty of human 
life. 

"Time is the mighty master of us all : 
Upon his coming and his going wait 
Love, and swift death, and day and night — and fate." 

Early History. — The closing century brings to mind that more than one 
hundred (107) years have passed since the earliest pioneers came into this sec- 
tion of the State, principally from the New England States and the eastern sec- 
tion of this State. The author obtained, about forty or more years ago, four 
early ledgers, which had been kept by as many early merchants, dating respec- 
tively 1805, 1806, 1812, 1815 and 1825-8, also one daybook kept by an early 
farmer, dating 1800, and another daybook kept by an early merchant, dating 
1825. The ledgers having been kept by single entry, it has been difficult to obtain 
the names of the merchants to whom they belonged, there being no stock accounts 
or other fictitious accounts, sttch as obtain in dotible-entry ledgers ; but it has been 
ascertained that the earliest, 1805, was kept by Winston Day. Another of 1806 
was kept by the agent of John Meeker (who did not reside in the town), who 
furnished the capital, not only for this village, but for other villages or places in 
various parts of the State, appointing a trusty agent or having a partner to con- 
duct the business, while he (Meeker) made the purchases in Albany or Utica, 
and attended to the sale of the shipments of produce sent from his various stores. 
Another ledger of 1812 was kept by Norman Leonard, and another by Day & 
Sherwood, 1815, whose name was written inside of the cover. From these ac- 
count-books have been obtained over twelve hundred names of persons who 
made their various purchases here, and who resided probably within a radius of 
from fifty to one hundred miles from this locality. These names have been al- 
phabetically arranged, and were submitted to the late Nathaniel Miller, who set- 
tled in this village in 1807, and whose memory of events and persons was much 
clearer than any other accessible person in this vicinity, and his identification of 
many of the names contained in the old ledgers will be found in this publication. 
Of course, the larger proportion of the names of early purchasers, comprising 
many hundreds, have not been located by Nathaniel Miller, and consequently are 
in obscurity. Those particularly in this town and in this village have been identi- 
fied. 

Whenever it has been possible to obtain either from old settlers personally or 
from their immediate descendants the particulars of their journey from their old 
home through the forest to this section of the State, many such have been ob- 
tained, and will be found in this volume. But these are comparatively few in 
number, owing to the fact that generally the immediate descendants of original 
settlers have but little recollection of the experiences of their fathers' hardships. 



HISTORY or Sh'AXn.JTr.LFS. 389 



CHAPTER XX\I. 
The Chlrches and thk Liukarv. 

St. James' Chlrch. — The corner-stone of the new edifice of St. James' 
Lhurch was laid on May 30. 1873. and the church dedicated on January 6, 1874. 
It contains a number of memorial windows, placed as follows: 

In the East Wall. — The Porter window, in memory of the family of James 
Gurdon Porter. 

The Horton window, in memory of Stephen Ilorton. 

The De Cost window, in memory of Captain Xash De Cost. 

The Earll window, in memory of Maria Earll. 

In the West Wall. — The Roosevelt window, in memory of Nicholas J. Roose- 
velt. 

The Schuyler window, in memory of Lydia Schuyler. 

The Gihbs window, in memory of William and Grizell Gihhs. 

The Burnett window, in memory of Charles J. Burnett. 

In the Sorth Wall. — The circular window, immediately above the front en- 
trance, in memory of Reuel Smith and family. 

The two Leslie windows, on either side of the main entrance : 
In loving remembrance of Millicent Anna Leslie. 
In loving remembrance of Hatmah H. De Cost. 

In the Chancel. — The chancel contains the following memorials: 

The Organ is in memory of Lydia M. Roosevelt and Henry Latrobc Roose- 
velt. 

The Brass Rail is in memory of Mary L., Julia A., and Ellen Roosevelt. 

The Brass Pulpit is in memory of John and Mary 'Snook. 

The Lectern is in memory of Harriet Jane Gibbs. 

The Baptistery is in memory of Mrs. Julius Earll. 

The Brass Cross is in memory of Gallic Marvin Poor. 

i'he Brass Book-Rest is in memory of Hannah H. De Cost. 

The Sanctuary is in memory of Robert M. Grinnell. 

The Rood-Screen is in memory of Dr. S. H. Hurd. 

The Alms-Basin is in memory of Mrs. D. T. Mosclcy. 

The Leslie Memorial Windows. — In a conversational manner, a visitor thus 
describes these windows : 

" My attention was called to two memorials recently placed in the front wall 

and near the main entrance, in memory of an aged mother and her daughter, Iwth 

1 whom had been constant members and worshipers here for a long series of 



390 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. • 

" As these particular windows impressed me with their exceeding beauty of de- 
sign and modest color, I will describe them more particularly. They are both uni- 
form in their general characteristics, and have full allegorical female figures in 
the center panels. 

" On the window in memory of the mother are represented Resignation and 
Hope, at least that is my own idea of the design. Resignation is portrayed by 
the figure, with hands crossed on the breast, and its general attitude, while the 
lower panel represents the Anchor of Hope. All the colors used are of the soft 




N|-\V SI'. j.\MES' CHURCH. 

antique tints, and the drapery is unusually well executed in its drawing and shad- 
ing. The inscription, in plain Roman at the base of the window, is as follows: 

In Loving Remembrance of Hannah H. De Cost, 
DIED April 27, 1884, aged 83 Years. 



" In the window above described the lower panel also represents the waves of 
the ocean, in which is appropriately represented the Anchor. 

" On the other window the representation, I think, is Victory— victory over 
death. The palm branch over the shoulder, supported by one hand, and the 
drapery, are unique, in harmonious colors. The design in the lower panel is a 



HISTORY OF SK.IXBATnLES. 




THE I.ESI.IK MliM'iKlAI. WINDOWS IN ST. JAMES' CHLRCII. 



392 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

faithful representation of the waves of the ocean, in which is a mythological 
Dolphin. (This, I am told, is the private crest of the family.) The inscription, 
also in Roman, is as follows : 

In Loving Remembrance of Millicent Anna Leslie, 
DIED March 15, 1890, aged 63 Years. 

" Those two words, 'Loving Remembrance,' are a sermon of themselves, and 
convey a deep meaning to those who are bereft — 'The heart bereft of the living 
originals.' 

" All the colors in both windows are of the soft antique tints ; the designs 
and execution of the work are admirable ; and on the upper panels of both win- 
dows are artistic Gothic canopies, in harmony with the architecture of the church." 

A photograph of the Leslie memorial windows was sent to Mrs. Juliet C. 
Patterson, the widow of a former rector of the church, who thus expressed her 
acknowledgment : 

" With many thanks, I write you that the beautiful photograph of the memo- 
rial windows has reached me safely, and I am sure nothing could have given me 
more pleasure, as a work of art and memorial of two loving and lovely Christian 
friends, already in Paradise. The very expression of their countenances indicates 
the joy and peace of their believing. I never saw any likenesses on glass more 
tender and significant of the characters represented on it. No one could fail to 
see in Mrs. De Cost that the attitude of repose she stands in is in keeping with 
every fold of her garments, and the sweet expression of her face, so like herself 
in life and marking her character — while Mrs. Leslie, her daughter, as turning 
toward her mother to follow her with her palm branch in her hand, with a little 
eagerness that always characterized her movements toward her mother in life, 
is very expressive and touching. The likeness and attitude could not be im- 
proved in any way — it is so artistically done, and it represents my ideal of what a 
memorial window should l)c. I can only think how very thankful you ought to 
be that you have been able to secure two such treasures to place in the church in 
Skaneateles. The moment Merbert looked at them he exclaimed: ' IIow beauti- 
ful those two windows are, and how striking the likenesses, and everything about 
them so very significant in every way ! ' " 

The Presbyterian Church. — The new Presbyterian Church contains a 
number of memorials, situated as follows : 

Sotillt Wall, over Front Entrance. — Memorial of Peter and Sarah Thompson. 

Memorial of Warren and Hannah Austin. 

Memorial of Henry and Eliza Adams. 

Memorial of Egbert D. Cuddeback. 

Memorial of Thomas and Martha Patcrson Kclley. 

East Wall Memorials.— ^\Ux^^\ Hoagland. 

\\'illiain ll.nmh. 



illMolx)' or SK.IXE.ITELES. 39,5 

George Fleming and Catharine Kellogg Lcitch and tlieir children: Daniel 
Kellogg Lcitch, Laura, George I-'leniing, Katherine, and Laurence. 

Mrs. Penniniah Thompson. 

Mrs. Orland J. Austin and Miss Jennie Thompson. 

Dr. and Mrs. Levi Bartlett. 

Mr. and Mrs. Theodore F. Andrews. 

Dr. Judah B. and Mrs. Hopkins. 

North Wall, All Wiiidozvs over Pulpit.— ^W. and Mrs. Alfred Hitchcock. 

West Wall.— Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Kly Cromwell. 

Mr. and Mrs. Augustus K. Sloan. 

Mr. and Mrs. Elisha \V. Hopkins. 

Mrs. Ann Eliza Loveless. 

Charles B. and Harriett Woodruff 1 shell. 

Charles Wiltsie and daughter, Grace. 

George and Almira Morrison Austin. 

Mr, and Mrs. William Fuller. 

In the Church. — The Memorial Communion Table is in memory of Chris- 
topher Columbus Wyckoff. 

The Memorial Baptismal Kneeling-Stool is in memory of Xehcmiah and Han- 
nah Higby Smith. 

The Pulpit and Chairs are in memory of Theodore F. Andrews and Dr. 
George T. Campbell. 

Mud L.\ke. — Another lake in Skaneateles, known as Mud Lake, is situated in 
the northeastern part of the town, and not far distant from the farm of Silas 
P.u«h, In extent it is estimated to cover about fifteen acres. Its shores are 
swampy and boggy. Cranberries grow on its surroundings. Its depth is es- 
timated at forty feet. It is filled with fish, such as bullheads, sunfish, and suckers, 
but no perch. There are crude rowboats on the lake ; in fact, only ordinary scows. 
The peculiarity of its shores is that, on removing the boggy surface, the mud 
which is beneath is so limpid that, if a man should step on it, he would im- 
mediately disappear out of sight ; in fact, drown in the mud. No pole that has 
ever been thrust into it has been of sufficient length to reach the bottom. There 
is an outlet from this lake which, after running about twenty rods, disappears 
in a rocky formation. It has no inlet. L'ndcr all tiie above conditions, it is ap- 
propriately named. 

There is a rivulet in the vicinity of Mud Lake, but not in any manner connected 
with it, that starts from a spring on the Irving Davey farm, and comes to the 
surface on land belonging to N'alcntine Leach. It runs in a westerly direction 
until it reaches the lands of Elmer \'an Camp. From the Gidf it continues 
south to Nine Mile Creek. The water in this rivulet flows throughout the 
year, even in a drouth. It is used by the farmers through wliose lands it runs 
for household purposes and for watering stock, it being especially pure and 
limpid. 



394 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

A Tourist's Observations. — A Tourist makes the following remarks while 
strolling through the village : 

" At a corner we were gratified with a glimpse of the great engineer engaged 
upon the fortifications of our city, who seemed to be lost in contemplation of 
something, the exact nature of which, whether shade-trees or telegraph-pole 




or flagstaff, we could not exactly determine. We were gratified to sec in him the 
picture of health and longevity. May he live a thousand years ! " 

The above refers to Augustus Kellogg. 

The tourist further sees more of interest: 

" At a palatial residence we were met by the warbling of a thousand birds 
of varied plumage, while the stately pavilions, the cool summer houses, the hang- 
ing flower-baskets, the tropical luxuriance of the aloe and the cactus, the patter- 
ing of cool fountains, and the inmiense pleasure-grounds reminded us of Kublai 
Khan and the groves of Damascus. 

" At various places the Star-Spangled Banner was flung to the breeze. 
Crowds of the beauty and the fashion thronged the sidewalks, and at the Lake 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 395 

House we were saluted by the band playing the air, 'See! The conquering 
hero comes ! ' " 

Erastus M. Beach. — Erastus M. Beach was a native of Sandesfield, Mass., 
a nephew of the late Reuel Smith, St., and an intimate friend of the late H. L. 
Roosevelt, of this village. He came here on a visit in 1853, at which time he 
owned a valuable lake-lot in the village. He as well as Mr. JI. L. Roosevelt had 
previously been engaged in mercantile business in Charleston, S. C. In the 
year 1855-56 Mr. Beach purchased the property now owned by R. B. Wheeler 
in this village. He thereafter came regularly with his family from Charleston 
to spend the summer months in this village, and during his residence here he 
entertained many of his Southern friends, among whom was his uncle Mr. Otis 
Mills, who was a prominent business man in Charleston, and owned some very 
costly granite (stone) docks, also the Mills House, a leading hotel there. This 
property was afterward, during the Civil War, confiscated by the Confederate 
Government, in payment for which he received Confederate bonds. Another 
well-known visitor was Captain Maffit, an officer of the United States Navy, who 
afterward became famous during the Civil War as cominander of a Confederate 
cruiser. 

The Beach family were very prominent here while they were residents during 
the summer season, and became famous for entertaining a great deal of company, 
composed principally of their friends in the village, of which they had many. 
This continued during the Civil War, until some mischievous person or persons 
circulated and sent to the Government at Washington a report (originating here) 
that Erastus M. Beach was a rebel, whereupon the Government immediately 
seized and held his property here in the village, and placed it in charge of a 
Deputy United States Marshal (a resident). During the time that this marshal 
had it in charge, Mr. Beach's dwelling was allowed by this officer to be shame- 
fully looted of all its furniture of every description, especially during the night. 
The general prejudice existing among many of the villagers against a rebel was 
such that the deputy marshal seemingly enjoyed the looting and destruction of 
Mr. Beach's property. Every closet throughout the house was looted of its 
contents. Every bureau, its drawers being locked, was broken open at the back, 
and thence the contents were taken. A large manhole was cut through the 
floor in the front hall to reach the wine cellar, through which the looters reached 
and drank all the wines. In fact, without further detail, every article of the 
least value was stolen from the house while it was in charge of the deputy repre- 
sentative of the United States Government. Soon after, the Government confis- 
cated Mr. Beach's property. Eventually, when the Government became better 
informed of Mr. Beach's loyalty and of the untruthfulness of the reports which 
nriginated here, his property, his real property, looted as it was, was restored to 
him. After the war, the Government, in recognition of the fact that he had been 
unjustly accused and abused, gave Mr. Beach a position in the Custom House in 
New York, which he held during his after-life. 



396 HISTORY OP SKANEATELES. 

Erastus M. Beach had an irreproachable character in his business relations 
as well as in his private life, was possessed of a genial kindness of nature, a stead- 
fast, reliable friend, and in every relation of life an admirable character. Be- 
fore the extraordinary and shameful false reports circulated in the village by 
malicious persons afifecting his character as a loyal American citizen, and the 
utter destruction of his property, for which the village of Skaneateles was re- 
sponsible, his intercourse with his fellow citizens was at all times courteous and 
affable, and always gentlemanly. No one knew him but to respect him. 

The Skane.\teles Libr.vry Sphin.x. 

Say, canst thou tell me what and why thou art, 

Rare Sphinx, that doth in all thy ruin smile? 
The Cynosure of all. yet like the part 

That ends the Little Bear in heaven's pole. 

This "Sphinx," which is now located on the most prominent corner of the two 
principal streets in the center of the village, is the old brick law office of the late 
Benoni Lee, which was occupied by him until his death, in December, 1886, 
and was, by his last will and testament, given, together with all its contents, to 
the Skaneateles Library Association. The sudden and unexpected death of his 
wife, June 16, 1885, caused by heart failure, and the precarious state of his 
own failing health, were warnings that induced him to execute his will two 
months after the death of his wife, dated August 17, 1885. He had no interest 
in the perpetuation of his office, or of its ever being used for a law office, or occu- 
pied by an attorney, or for any other purpose, being unfitted from the nature of 
its material and build to remain on the principal corner of the village. Benoni 
Lee's evident intention was that his old law office should not be retained by the 
Association, but removed. This, together with his knowledge that the Library 
Association had, only eighteen days before the execution of his will, purchased 
all the adjoining lands, afforded him the opportunity to devise his lands to the 
Association, in order that the new building to be erected should be extended over 
the office lot to the extreme limit of the boundaries of both the adjoining streets. 

It would seem that the directors of the Library Association entertained a 
different view of the gift from what Benoni Lee himself did. Exemplified thus : 
The President of the Association in one of his annual reports stated: 

" It was the voluntary decision of the directors to let the little law office on 
the corner remain intact, as a monument to his respected memory." 

It does not seem possible that these directors should have fully considered the 
future consequences of establishing permanently this questionable antiquated 
building in the very center and most prominent location in the village. As a 
nioinmient to his respected memory it was entirely out of place, as the directors 
did not appreciate the spirit in which it was given. Benoni Lee had had erected 
in Lake View Cemetery just before his death an expensive monument, which 



H/ STORY or SK.IXnATELnS. 



397 



was constructed under his ininiediate supervision day by day, and which by the 
provisions of his last will and testament, he anticipated might not be completed 
(hiring his life. It was an offense to his memory to subject it to such a degrada- 
tion as this modern Sphinx. The directors having permanently established the 
old law office as a monument, and it being an entirely distinct building from the 
library proper, they commissioned a well-known gentleman of the village to 
procure an outside attorney to occupy it as a law office, for which purpose of 




THE SKANEATI 



iitliers of a like ciiaracter its original owner never indicated in any manner that 
it was to be used. Such a tenant was procured from a neighboring county, who 
had been recently admitted to the bar, and jxissesscd neither practise nor law 
library. He was induced to leave a prosperous village to come to Skaneatelcs 
by the offer of the law office of Henoni Lee with its law library of eight hundred 
viilumes, together with all its furniture, including fire-proof safe and desk. He- 
les all these was the accession of Benoni Lee"s office business, which had been 
tablished for fifty years, and which amounted to about $3,000 annually, at 



398 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

a nominal rental of one hundred and fifty dollars a year, thirty dollars of which 
he was authorized to expend for the purchase of the standard reports of the State 
courts as they were issued, which were for his exclusive use. The local at- 
torneys as a class were not members of the Association. They were not con- 
sidered in the distribution of these valuable " plums." He was also offered the 
attorneyship of one of the village banks. (He got them both.) The contempti- 
ble income of one hundred and twenty dollars per annum was apparently the only 
excuse for the mutilation of the costly ($18,000) Library building. 




IHKARY nUILDINU AND 



In order to furnish an authoritative official reason why this ofTensive Sphinx 
was not immediately removed, the following extract from an annual report of 
the President of the Library Association, is here quoted : 

" This desire was greatly increased by the fact that, soon after the purchase 
of the lot, the late Benoni Lee gave to the Association, by his last will and testa- 
ment, the small lot on which his law office stood, situated on the corner of State 
and Genesee streets. This acquisition rounded out the grounds, and made them 
the most desirable spot in the village on which to erect our new building. He 
gave also his law library. His gift came to us absolutely without restriction 
or condition of any kind, so that the little brick structure on the lot might have 
been properly removed." 

The best interests of the Library would have beefn promoted, and the memory 
of the late Benoni Lee preserved, if, as the President stated, "the little brick 



HISTORV OF SKANEATELES. 



399 



structure on the lot might have been properly removed," and the law library to- 
gether with the furniture of the office had been sold, which would have produced 
fully $3,000. This sum would have been a respectable memorial fund, from 
which all books purchased from its annual income should have had a printed 
label, placed on the inside cover of each book so purchased, denoting the char- 




acter of the gift in memory of the late Benoni Lee. Such a disijosition of his 
gift would have avoided the disgraceful appendage now permanently established. 

The Library building should have covered the whole property of the Associa- 
tion, and facing buth streets, thus making an ornamental, creditable, and spacious 
home for the future exiiansion of the Library, more floor room for its book- 
selves, and a more commodious hall for its cxliibition purposes. 

The Sphinx is the most prominent feature of the costly Library building, as 
there is not a point of observation in any part of tlie village from wliicli the 



400 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

Library building can be seen but from whicli the Sphinx attracts not only curi- 
osity, but inquisitiveness. 

The architects who designed the Library building had a very difficult and per- 
plexing problem before them — to disfigure the costly Library building in order 
to allow the Sphinx to remain intact, and next to design a frame shed, which 
has since been named a " piazza," supported by heavy stone butments, as a cover 
to the principal entrance to the Library building on Genesee Street. Another 
entrance on State Street, in the immediate rear of the highly valued Sphinx, is 
similarly covered with a frame shed, supported on heavy stone butments. Both 
of these covered entrances, together with this appendant Sphinx, destroy the en- 
semble of the costly Library building, whereas, if the Sphinx had been demol- 
ished as it should have been, a building creditable to the Library and to the vil- 
lage would have been constructed. The architects included in their plan an en- 
trance from the Library into the law office, but, such being opposed by the oc- 
cupant, it was abandoned, leaving to him the exclusive use of his office. 

The expression " costly Library building " indicates that it was an unusually 
extravagant structure, in comparison with other buildings of a like character 
elsewhere. Examples of costly, elaborate structure are the tall rubblework stone 
chimneys. Information from an authentic source indicates that there are no 
chimneys of the like character in Syracuse. There are other examples of un- 
necessary extravagance in the use of money donated by various persons for a 
substantial and creditable building suitable for the locality of Skaneateles. 

In one of the President's annual addresses, he stated that the building com- 
mittee was all the directors. Joseph C. Willetts was appointed chairman, and 
authorized to make all contracts for labor and materials. Under these condi- 
tions, there was no necessity of there being but one member of the building com- 
mittee. 

There is a silent, not publicly expressed, feeling among some of the directors 
that the Sphinx should be removed, or that possibly the " little structure " may 
be hidden by building over it another story. 

The illustrations herewith accompanying this article, six in number, confirm 
the statement heretofore given, that the degrading appendage, the Sphinx, is the 
most prominent feature to be seen in the vicinity of the Skaneateles Library. 

In connection herewith the author desires to make the following personal 
statement : 

My interest toward the establishment of a I'ul)lic Library has been growing 
ever since I obtained the manuscript records of the original Library Company, 
which was organized in the village in the month of March, 1806. The present 
generation would not have known of that organization if I had not published in 
the Skaneateles Democrat, twenty years ago, a full account of tliat Library, and 
the names of all its officers and all of its subscribers, who were jirominent citizens 
of the town and village of Skaneateles. This Library continued tliirly-five years. 
For a full history of it see Chapter iX. of this volume. 



msTORv or skaxeateles. 



401 



Before any suggestion liad been made to establish a Public Library since 
the collapse of the Skaneateles Library Company in 1841, I called on the late 
Anson Lapham, early in the month of June, 1875, with the view of suggesting 
to him the establishment of a Public Free Library as a loving memorial to his 
deceased daughter, Elizabeth Anna, or, as she was familiarly called, " Lizzie," 
who died in 1864. at the age of twenty-five. The interesting particulars of this 
interview with Mr. Lapham are detailed in Chapter XXL of this volume. 




THE SKANEATELES I.IBKARV BLII-DIS 



Under present conditions, I assume that I am justified in criticizing the man- 
agement in the degradation of the present Library building by the retention of 
the old law office on its original site from a maudlin sentiment. 

It was my intention from the commencement of the present Library to do 

all in my power to advance its interests. My first gift was over six hundred 

hmics on all educational subjects, and not a single volume of fiction. A por- 

II of these books was one hundred and fifty uniformly bound volumes of 

Harper's P'amily Library," embracing all subjects of interest. As the books 

in the Library are divided into general subjects, there is not a subject on its 

shelves but contains some of the volumes of " Harper's Family Library," such is 



402 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

the diversity of educational subjects to be found in them. A gentleman visiting 
the village, desirous of obtaining knowledge respecting the kingdom of Thibet, 
which he had been unable to obtain in many libraries which he had previously 
tried, found it in one of the " Harper's Family Library," and, observing my name 
in the volume, called on me, and thanked me for placing that book in the Library. 

I have been in the habit of presenting books and other valuable mementos 
every year. In 1892 I gave twenty-one volumes ; at another time I gave forty 
volumes, and continued giving from year to year many volumes. Besides books, 
I gave many maps, including a large map of the State of New York, with its 
accompanying Gazetteer; an original map of the Military Lots; Captain Benja- 
min Lee's original map of Skaneateles Lake, giving its diflferent soundings and 
persons' names who owned lands on its shores, and its fanciful outline in the form 
of a " Beautiful Squaw." At various times I gave carbonette or platinotype 
copies of ambrotypes or daguerreotype likenesses of old citizens of Skane- 
ateles, which were exact copies of the originals, without crayon or other human 
handwork. In 1893 I gave, mounted in a frame, a full set of new fractional 
currency, which I had retained from its first issue; also, Confederate fractional 
currency and banknotes, Internal United States Revenue stamps, Columbian 
postage stamps, and a card of admittance to the L^nited States Senate at the 
impeachment of a President of the United States, April 8, 1868. This card of 
admission was not used by me, but retained as a memento of the only occasion 
where an attempt was made to impeach a President of the United States. All 
other cards of admission, which were used by the holders, were destroyed, this one 
being the only known one in existence. The fractional currency of the United 
States in this exhibit gives not only one side, but both sides of every one of them, 
and all of them are as much legal tender as the day they were issued. 

While in California, in 1887, I obtained a pair of the largest known sea- 
shells, called in San Francisco " Bear-claw shells." Their technical name is the 
genus Tridacna of the species Gigantea. The selling price in San I>"rancisco was 
from five to ten dollars a pair. These shells belong to the clani family, and arc 
only found among the South Sea Islands. Those I ])resented to the Library 
came from the Samoa, or Navigator's, Islands. I purchased the largest pair of 
these shells that was to be had, and, being very bulky and heavy, I had them 
packed in a box, placed on board of a ship bound for New York around Cape 
Horn, and thence by express to Skaneateles. I also presented many relics of 
the Civil War, which proved to be of interest. At one time I procured through 
a friend, who was a United States Paymaster at Philadelphia when the troops 
were paid-off at the close of the war, a Spencer carbine, which was a magazine 
gun carrying nine Minie cartridges without reloading. 1 was particular to have 
the Paymaster get a carbine that had been carried by a suldier all tlirntigh the 
war from 1861 to 1865. For this carbine 1 |Kiid ten dollars, and had it sent In- 
express to Skaneateles for the sole purpose of inesenting it to the Library. On 
its arrival I took it to the Library, and, giving it to the " lUiilding Committee" 



HISTORY OP SKASEATELES. 



403 



{':), it was refused with the reply, "We (?) don't want any guns." Conse 
quently I have retained it in my possession ever since. 

The most vahiable donation, and most appropriate for tlie Skaneateles Li- 
brary, was a collection of all the early newspapers that have been edited and 
printed in the village of Skaneateles. These contain the advertisements of the 
early merchants and manufacturers of the town, and the marriages and deaths. 
as well as a few local items. The first newspaper printed in the village was the 




■5^ 



r 




Telegraph; the next following was the Columbian, and then the Deinoerat. As 
a rule, neither the Telegraph nor the Columbian ever i)ul)lishcd local news or 
items. \\. B. Dodge, editor and publisher of the Skaneateles Democrat, was the 
originator of publishing local items and local news. Unfortunately the files of 
this paper which have been cnllected are very incomplete. The etiitors and pub- 
lishers of the newspapers above named have all " passed over to the majority," 
and so have the advertisers of the Telegraph and the Columbian. This collec- 
tion of the earliest newspapers has been in the course of collection by me for 



404 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

nearly fifty years. They were carefully repaired where injured, and bound sub- 
stantially at my expense. Together with our own local papers I collected a few 
Cayuga and Onondaga County newspapers of an early date, which were bound 
with the other journals. In addition to the very early newspapers, I presented 
a complete bound set of the Free Press from its commencement to 1891. 

I have presented so many books and other appropriate articles to the Asso- 
ciation that it seems impossible to recollect them all. For instance, when I was 




:;kaneateles library kuiluing and 



stly Library Building, showing its Uisgra 
on the Extreme Right. 



in California in 1887, and while I was at Oroville (the original gold diggings), 
I purchased froin the only bank in the neighborhood the largest gold nugget that 
was to be had, costing me about four dollars, and brought it home purposely to 
present it to the Library, and did present it, and it is the only natural nugget 
now in the Library collection, and without the name of the donor attached to it. 
Besides my various gifts to the Skaneateles Library Association, I con- 
tributed toward the erection of the building and the purchase of the building lot 
five hundred dollars, among others who made various contributions of money 
for the same purpose. Under ordinary conditions, in the construction of public 



HISTORY OF SK.l.XL.lll.LES. 40s 

buildings witli money contributed for the purpose, it is always customary to con- 
sult the promoters of the enterprise who furnish the money. I was never con- 
sulted as to the design or any of the details of erection, and I doubt whether any 
other of the promoters were. Neither was I consulted in the retention of the 
" Sphinx." Therefore I claim an inalienable right to criticize all the proceed- 
ings relative to the initiation of the Libran,-. 

Besides the many contributions I have made, I now add six half-tone engrav- 
ings of the Library building, which are expensive illustrations, to exemplify my 
criticisms, especially in respect to the retention of the old law office. 

In my estimation, I have heretofore presented more suitable volumes for li- 
brary purposes than any other one individual. 

The influence which was intentionally exerted over the late Anson Lapham, 
in the year 1875, had the effect to cause him to abandon his cherished intention 
of establishing a Free Public Library in memory of his only child and daughter, 
thus depriving the town and village of Skaneateles from having a self-support- 
ing educational institution worthy of the name of " The Lapham Memorial 
Library." 

Items of Interest. 

The firm of Ansel Frost & Co. was dissolved December 19, 1829 (Arthur 
Mott the company). Ansel Frost continued the business of the furnace at Mott- 
ville, manufacturing castings, stoves, and potash-kettles. 

Jacob W. Breed, Februarj- 2, 1830, offered six cents reward for the return of 
an indented apprentice boy, named John Ward Barteens, of about fifteen years 
of age. 

E. Sherman Keeney, editor and proprietor of the Skaneateles Democrat in 
the year 1844, died August 17, 1847. 

Israel Sabins, by trade a blacksmith and tinker, resided on the Hodges 
place, near Mandana. 

Eli Barnes was here in 1806, and was the miller in William J. Wcdciiburg's 
flour-mill. 

The Douglass patent threshing-machims were made to order by James 
McCray. 

Daniel Watson was here in 181 1, and was said to be a wi3ol-cardcr. 

Aaron Austin was charged for renewing fence 7/3. July 26, 1806. 

Weeks & Bristol were here or in this vicinity in 1805. 

Mr. Phelps was a tanner and currier here in 1828. 

John Rowal traded here from 1807 to 1815. 

William Clift traded here in 1807. 

Dr. Wanier was here in 1816. 

Dr. Samuel Porter had five chiUlren — four sons and one daughter. The sons 
tre Evelvn H., J. Gurdon, Sydenham, and Mortimer. The daugiiter was Mrs. 
' icorgc Geddes. 



4o6 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

A Great Century's EiNding. — The Nineteenth Century and its Discov- 
eries. — Other Subjects of General Interest, none of which have 

ANY relation TO SkaNEATELES OR TO THE GENERAL SUBJECTS OF THIS VOL- 
UME. — The Transmission of Meridian Time by Telegraph. — Predic- 
tions FOR the year 2000. 

A Great Century's Ending. 

As only a few weeks of the nineteenth century remain, it is of interest to note 
that the twentieth century is to be welcomed in Paris and elsewhere with ap- 
propriate ceremonies. Paris has decided that the present year ( 1900) belongs to 
the nineteenth century, and will not dismiss it without a masked ball, December 
31, in which each participant will by his costume personify, so to speak, one of 
the great inventions or events of a marvelous century. There is to be a series 
of festivities, but the dance of the symbolic characters will doubtless be the most 
entertaining — a german, in which the railway, automobile, phonograph, type- 
writer, sewing-machine, street-car, and telephone waltz through giddy mazes with 
the steamboat, telegraph, cotton-gin, Boer war, Mergenthaler's linotype, relief of 
Pekin, antitoxin, aseptic surgery, battle of Bull Run, Waterloo, liquid air, Sedan, 
the lithograph, daguerreotype, and Hoe printing-press would be entertaining, if 
not instructive. 

The century now ending has been full of sad events, but it has also produced 
more than all preceding centuries to make human life easier and happier. Dis- 
covery, invention, education, and culture have at the same time multiplied the 
food supply and the comforts of life for the masses of the people, and have de- 
veloped philanthropic sentiment to such an extent that the hard conditions of 
former times are largely obsolete. Ignorance, poverty, suffering, and imprison- 
ment are now mitigated greatly by the increased material prosperity of most 
civilized races, and by the increased disposition of individuals and states to share 
with the unfortunate the proceeds of the enhanced productiveness of labor helped 
by machinery. 

The luxuries of the rich in 1800 are the necessities of life for the poor in 1900. 
There has been in this regard a large amount of progress in the century now 
ending. So far as the happiness of life depends upon material conditions, it 
has been greatly promoted. Looking back over the changes of a hundred years, 
one cannot but see reason to expect farther desirable modifications in the condi- 
tion of mankind in the century to come. 



WEATELES. 



The Tkansmission oi Mikidian Time pv Telegraph. 

.\kritlian time is marked by simultaneous cooperation in the principal cities 
of this country. It is a rule on the Western Union lines that, just before twelve 
o'clock each clay, all business must cease on the wires, and three minutes before 
noon an unbroken chain of communication from Washington around the utter- 
most boundaries of the United States is formed, which is called " an unbroken 
national circuit." Thus a smooth track is made, along which the electric mes- 
sage may flash, encompassing the Union and announcing the time of day. Ten 
seconds before the time-bell strikes comes silence, and then an electric current 
pulsates from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the chief Metropolis to the Golden 
Gate, announcing the fact that the sun has passed over the seventy-fifth meridian 
and that it is noon at Washington. The time-balls fall, and the electric clocks 
connected with the telegraph system record the hour of midday. 



I.v THE Year 2000. 

Among the startling prophecies concerning human developments in the 
twentieth century, now only thirty days distant, are one by President Pritchett, 
of the Boston Institute of Technology, and another by Sir Robert GifFen, the 
eminent English statistician. 

According to the first-named scholar, the population of the United States 
will be increased to nearly 95,000.000 in 1910; in 1950 to over 190,000,000. He 
does not estimate it for the year 2000, but at the rate of growth which his esti- 
mate for 1950 assumes — namely, 150 per cent, for the fifty years beginning with 
njoo — the American people one hundred years hence will number 475,000,000. 

Sir Robert Giffen says that the rx)pulations of Europe and of European 
origin — in which he includes the United States .ind all other countries settled by 
descendants of European stock — have increased from 170,000,000 in 1800 to 
300,000,000 in 1900. And he predicts that at the end of the coming century 
I 2000) the 500,000,000 will have become 1,500.000,000 or more. 

It is not conceivable that the twentieth century will be more warlike and de- 
structive of human life than the nineteenth, which has been more crowded with 
wars than any previous century of the Christian era. Therefore, the threefold 
increase of the populations of Europe and of countries of European origin and 
sympathetic civilization which has occurred in the present century is not unrea- 
sonably anticipated in the next. Meantime, the yellow and black races are not 
increasing at all. Time and tide fight on the side of " the noble Caucasian." 

But try to think of the .American jyeoplc of A. D. 2000 — 473.000,000 of them 1 
What a Presidential campaign they will have when that year rolls round! 



4o8 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 
Local History as Elaborated by the Newspaper Press of Syracu; 



From The Syracuse Herald. 

Justice McLennan and a jury in the Second Division of the Supreme Court 
are being enlightened upon Skaneateles poHtics to-day. The action on trial is 
one for libel brought by Norman O. Shepard, at present Supervisor from Skane- 
ateles/ against E. Norman Leslie, one of the oldest and wealthiest men of the 
village. It is claimed that Mr. Leslie wields a vitriolic pen. It also is urged 
that he uses it with telling effect upon his political enemies. The means through 
which he enlightens his neighbors and others is a publication, which appears semi- 
occasionally and irregularly, called the Sun. 

It is in the Sun that Supervisor Shepard claims he was attacked " falsely 
and maliciously." At the head of the Sun's editorial page appears the assur- 
ance that " The Sun will continue to shine, striking deviltry where it exists, and 
striking when the iron is hot." 

Mr. Shepard charges that Mr. Leslie has from time to time written slurs and 
allegations reflecting upon his good name in connection with the two most im- 
portant political " scraps " that have come up in the village in its recent existence. 
One was in regard to the cemetery association and the other the water works con- 
troversy. In the former matter Mr. Leslie made an application to the Attorney- 
General, which was dismissed upon the opposing affidavits, one of which was 
made by Mr. Shepard. Then Mr. Leslie, in the Sun, called the other a bad man 
and his affidavit " a lying one." 

Then came the trying matter of water. It was decided by the village to own 
its water works, and a litigation with the water company was the result. This 
was a hot fight, and the Sun shone pretty regularly in its early stages. One of 
the spicy things selected by Mr. Shepard as libelous is this : 

" Barrow got $30,000 for his services as attorney for the company, which wore 
not nearly so valuable as N. O. Shepard's services in procuring the extension 
of the franchise for two years — the interesting particulars of this last disgrace- 
ful affair will be given further on — for without the franchise, and especially the 
extension of it for two years, the water works company would have collapsed. 
Shepard's services must have been worth to the ' out of town gout lemon ' at 
the very least $50,000." 

Again, Mr. Leslie wanted to know if any of the Sun's readers doubted that 
Mr. Shepard got $2,000, which was purported to have been paid to his partner, 
Edwin E. Hall, for $10,000 worth of stock in the water company. 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 409 

In his answer to the complaint, which asks damages for $10,000, Mr. Leslie 
asserts that he believed it his duty to publish the facts as he understood them, 
and did not intend to charge perjury or to bring Mr. Shepard into infamy and 
disgrace. 

About the only thing that was admitted outside the pleadings on the trial 
was that both parties to the action are wealthy, and that each has been, at one 
lime. President of the village. 

The plaintiff was the first witness sworn this morning. He said he had had 
the matter of Leslie's effusions in the Sun " thrown up " at him time and time 
again, and he had been kept very busy making people understand that he was 
not a criminal. On the cross-e.xamination it developed that Mr. Shepard had 
not a very vivid recollection of what was contained in his affidavit, which was 
used in the proceeding before the Attorney-General in the cemetery matter. He 
believed, however, that everything he said was true, although he did give Mr. 
Leslie a little rap that the latter took exception to. He declared that he had not 
at any time owned stock in the Skaneateles water company, but that his partner, 
Mr. Hall, had been the owner of such stock. He admitted that Mr. Hall, besides 
being his business partner, was a close personal friend. 

George Barrow, the well-known Skaneateles attorney, was the next wit- 
ness. He was president of the Skaneateles water company, and verified Mr. 
Shepard's statement that he (Shepard) had never had any stock in that con- 
cern. Mr. Barrow was also questioned regarding Mr. Leslie's standing in the 
community, and declared that he was a man of influence and aflluence in Skane- 
ateles, living on his income and devoting his time to no business in particu- 
lar. This evidence, it was explained, was introduced for the purpose of prov- 
ing that what Mr. Leslie said would have a greater effect than what an or- 
dinary individual might say. For the same purpose, presumably, it was shown 
that Mr. Leslie owns a fine house, keeps servants, and also is interested in a 
Buffalo hotel. 

Edwin E. Hall, Mr. Shepard's partner, was also sworn as to that water com- 
pany stock, and he was positive that his partner never had anything to do with 
it and that he was the sole owner. He said he paid money for it, but could not 
remember just how much. 

The case of the plaintiff was closed this afternoon, and ^L E. Driscoll began 
his opening address for the defendant. Mr. Driscoll appears with Ciiarles L. 
Milford for Mr. Leslie, while F. E. Stone, with A. T. Benedict as counsel, looks 
after the plaintiff's interests. 

From The Syracuse Herai.m. 

Without the offering of any evidence by the defense, tiie libel action growing 
out of the political differences of E. Norman Leslie and Norman O. Shepard, of 
Skaneateles, the latter being the plaintiff, the case was summed up in Justice 



4IO niSTORV OF SKAXEATELES. 

McLennan"s court yesterday afternoon, and in twenty minutes after retiring the 
jury came in with a munificent verdict of six cents for the plaintiff. 

Mr. Driscoll made very hght of the action in his address to the jury. He 
thought Mr. LesHe had acted in entire good faith in the whole matter, being 
justified by a high sense of his duty as a citizen as well as an editor. F. E. 
Stone summed up for the plaintiff, and wanted big damages. He said Mr. Les- 
lie did not dare go on the stand for fear of the cross-examination that would re- 
sult, and in which it would be shown that he had actual malice in his attacks 
upon Mr. Shepard. 

In his charge to the jury. Justice McLennan asked the jury to consider the 
issues the same as if the litigants were hod-carriers instead of wealthy men. 
If the affair was nothing more than a neighborhood scrap, no more weight 
should be given it than it deserved. There must be a verdict, however, he 
charged, for at least nominal damages of six cents. 



From The Syr.\cuse St.\ndard. 

The answers in the libel suits against E. Norman Leslie, of Skaneateles, have 
been served. Mr. Leslie does not make the usual general denial, but says that 
the charges he made against N. O. Shepard, former President, and S. E. Bene- 
dict, former Clerk, of the village of Skaneateles, were made in good faith and 
without malice ; that he believed the charges were true when he made them, and 
that he believes so still. The cases will go on the calendar at the next term of 
the Supreme Court, and, as both sides are equally anxious for an early trial, the 
workings of Skaneateles village politics are likely to be well aired this fall. 
The truth of the charges made by former President Leslie will be practically the 
sole question at issue, and to determine their truth will mean the ventilation of 
the whole Skaneateles water deal. 

The cases are two. 

N. O. Shepard sues for $5,000 for an alleged libel published in Air. Leslie's 
campaign paper, the Sun, January 30. Mr. Leslie, over his own signature, said 
that the Skaneateles water company, a corporation which put in the present 
water plant, had given George Barrow and E. E. Hall stock in the company — 
Mr. Barrow for law services and Mr. Hall simply " for services rendered." 
Mr. Hall was the business partner of N. O. Shepard, who was village Trustee 
and later village President when the water works company were after their 
franchise, which they secured and under which they put in their plant. When 
the village decided upon public control of the water works Mr. Shepard opposed 
the scheme, and Mr. Leslie's suggestion was that the stock really belonged to 
Mr. Shepard. Mr. Shepard in his complaint alleges that the intimation of the 
article was that he. while an official of the village or later, received stock in the 
company, for which he must have given favors in return. 



HISTORY or SK.lXRATELllS. 4ii 

In his answer. Mr. Leslie says that Mr. Shcpard's design in bringing an action 
to prevent the village from establishing water works of its own in competition 
with the established company, " as this defendant then believed, was to compel 
people to receive a supply from the Skancateles water company, and that the said 
company was bonded and stocked for more than it was worth and more tiian it 
cost, and the object was to compel people to pay more for the plant than it was 
worth, and that in the said articles the defendant simply set forth the facts as he 
understood them, and that he understood from common report that the plaintiff 
was the owner of $10,000 of stock, which was in the name of E. E. Hall, his 
partner, and it was also reported that no money was paid for such stock, and that 
those who received it did so for such services as they may have rendered the com- 
pany and said plaintiff for his services in the interest of the company." 

The second case is for $10,000, and is brought by Samuel E. Benedict, Clerk 
of the Board of Trustees at the time of the granting of the water franchise. 
Mr. Leslie, in the Sun, February 13, charged substantially that Mr. Benedict 
was not present at a meeting of the board when privileges were granted the 
water company, but that he did at a later date make changes in the minutes of 
that meeting, kept by a Trustee as Clerk pro teni. There is no charge that the 
water company profited largely, in fact, or in their case against the village by the 
change. 

" Defendant discovered the facts," says Mr. Leslie in his answer, " as set 
forth in the alleged libel, and published them as he found them. He believed 
then and now believes that the plaintiff did add to the recorded proceedings 
the words, " The resolution was then adopted.' And he believes that the record 
shows it, and in his discussion of such change in the record he simply said that 
the addition of this sentence by this plaintiff was dishonest, as plaintiff was not 
present at the meeting. And the defendant further says that the other changes 
in the record were made in the manner set forth," and, further, " that the paper 
written by him, the defendant, and published for the information of the people 
upon matters of public importance, was a privileged communication, and that he 
was justified in writing and publishing it. and ilirit lie wa« free from malice in 
doing so." 



From The Syracuse St.vndari). 

E. Norman Leslie, publisher of the Sun, a campaipfii newspaper of Skan- 
cateles, has answered the suits for libel brought against him by N. O. Shepard, 
a former President of the village, and S. E. Benedict, a former Clerk. The 
trouble arose out of the new water works plant. Mr. Leslie makes no de- 
nial, but claims the alleged libelous statements were made in good faith and 
without malice; that he believed the charges to be true at the time, and believes 
so still. 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



From The Syracuse Courier. 



Skaneateles politics have reached the lawsuit stage. E. N. Leslie, for two 
years President of the village and candidate for a third term, as he does not 
receive the support he wishes from the village papers, prints a paper of his 
own at election time, the Sun. The sheet is devoted entirely to village politics, 
and Mr. Leslie's name is printed at the end that there may be no question as to 
whose opinions are expressed. The Sun has criticized severely the record of 
some village officials of the past, and these former officials threaten libel suits. 

N. O. Shepard, former President of the village, has retained Attorney F. 
E. Stone, of Skaneateles, to sue President Leslie for libel. He charges sub- 
stantially that Mr. Leslie accused him in the Sun of holding stock in the Skan- 
eateles water works Company, and of opposing village ownership for that reason. 

Samuel E. Benedict, village Clerk for several years, has consulted with Rider 
& Benedict of this city, with reference to a suit against President Leslie for 
charging him with making changes in the minutes of a meeting at which the 
question of village ownership of water was under discussion. That suit has not 
yet been begun. 

From The Syr.-\cuse Courier. 

A hot political scrap of Skaneateles type, a warm " Sun " shine action for 
slander, occupied the attention of Justice McLennan's court yesterday. 

Norman O. Shepard, of Skaneateles, Supervisor, said that E. Norman Leslie, 
in his somewhat irregular periodical, called the Sun, whose motto is, " The 
Sun will continue to shine, striking deviltry where it exists, and striking when 
the iron is hot," falsely and maliciously attacked him, and he felt injured to 
the extent of $10,000, but the jury, in harmony with perpetual sunshine, allowed 
him six cents. 

When the water works fight occupied the stronghold of Skaneateles, the Sun 
said : " Barrow got $30,000 for his services as attorney for the company, which 
were not nearly so valuable as N. O. Shepard's services in promising the ex- 
tension of the franchise for two years — the interesting particulars of the last 
disgraceful affair will be given later on — for without the franchise, and espe- 
cially the extension of it for two years, the water works company would have 
collapsed. Shepard's services must have been worth to the ' out of town gentle- 
men ' at the very least $50,000." 

Again, Mr. Leslie wanted to know if any of the Sun's readers doubted that 
Mr. Shepard got $2,000, which was purported to have been paid to his part- 
ner, Edwin E. Hall, for $10,000 worth of stock in the water company. 

Mr. Leslie, in answer to the complaint, said he did not intend to charge per- 
jury, but he believed it his duty to publish the facts as he understood them. 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 4'.; 

Mr. Shepard was the first witness. He said that at no time had he owned 
stock in the Skaneateles water company, but his partner, E. E. Hall, had. Mr. 
Hall later corroborated this in his testimony. George Barrow, president of the 
water company, also testified to Shepard's not owning stock. 



From The Syr.vcuse Courier. 

One of the most interesting cases to be tried this term will commence this 
morning in Supreme Court, probably before Justice Williams, unless something 
unanticipated takes place. The action grows out of the kind things said by 
E. Norman Leslie, of Skaneateles, about his political friends — with a crochet 
hook after it. Mr. Leslie belongs to the aristocracy of aristocratic Skaneateles. 
and takes more than a passing interest in local politics. When questions of im- 
portance to the government of the village by the lake come up, Mr. Leslie 
issues a newspaper of his own, the Sun, which scintillates with sharp things, so 
sharp, in fact, that Mr. Leslie is about the only one who cares to say them on his 
own responsibility. 

When the village, something over a year ago, proposed to put in a water 
plant of its own and thus practically force the old water company out of busi- 
ness, occasion was furnished for the publication of the Sun. In it Mr. Leslie 
discussed Norman O. Shepard, now the McKinley League Supervisor of the 
town, and then an ex-President of the village. Mr. Shepard was fonnerly a 
partner of E. E. Hall in the undertaking and furniture business. Mr. Leslie is 
accused of having said regarding Mr. Shepard that, while he was village Presi- 
dent, his partner, Mr. Hall, received capital stock from the old water company, 
and that this fact had an important bearing on the granting to the company of a 
franchise which was of considerable value. The inference which it was intended 
that the public should make is plain. Mr. Shepard accordingly brought an 
action against Mr. Leslie for libel, asking damages in $10,000. The attorneys 
are F. E. Stone for the plaintiff and Charles R. Milford for the defendant. M. 
E. Driscoll, of this city, will act as counsel with Mr. Milford. 

There is another action brought by S. E. Benedict against Mr. Leslie of a 
similar nature. Mr. Benedict was village Clerk, and the Sun told the public that 
certain changes had been made in the minutes of the village board which showed 
that resolutions had been passed which, it was claimed, had never been passed 
in fact. 

The statement above is extracted from Monday's Syracuse Standard. 

The trial during its progress l>efore Justice McLennan was not strikingly 
different from many another similar action brought in the same court. The 
only feature in which it may have differed from the trial of other actions for libel 
was in the fact that, without attempting to offer a single word of evidence in re- 
buttal, the defense rested their case at once with the jury after the prosecution 



414 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

had completed the examination of their witnesses. This move of the attorneys 
for the defense was undoubtedly good strategy, since it is doubtful if Mr. Leslie 
would have stood with perfect equanimity the rigorous cross-examination to 
which he would probably have been subjected. 

The history of the case as it was developed during the trial by the testimony 
of the witnesses is so thoroughly familiar to all Democrat readers that it does not 
require recapitulation here. 

Judge McLennan had evidently never been a victim of the satirical shafts of 
journalism which have served to so thoroughly distinguish Air. Leslie's oracle. 

The jury, after deliberating some twenty minutes, came to the conclusion 
that the " Sun which shines for all " couldn't really hurt much, -and accordingly 
returned a verdict of si.x cents for the plaintifif. 



From The Syk.\cuse Courier. 

The announcement of the verdict was about as funny as the entire suit. Jus- 
tice McLennan had adjourned his court when the jury found itself ready to re- 
port, and it was received by Justice Williams. The foreman was a rather elderly 
farmer, who had a peculiar voice and apparently a bad state of fright. He 
rose and said, " We find for the plaintiff, in the sum of six cents." The Judge 
laughed when he heard the peculiar noise, and so did the people in court. 



From The Svr.\cuse St.\nd.\rd. 

One of the most interesting cases to be tried this term will commence this 
morning in Supreme Court, probably before Justice Williams, unless something 
unanticipated takes place. The action grows out of the kind things said by 
E. Norman Leslie, of Skaneateles, about his political friends — with a crochet 
hook after it. Mr. Leslie belongs to the aristocracy of aristocratic Skaneateles. 
and takes more than a passing interest in local politics. When questions of im- 
portance to the government of the village by the lake come up, Mr. Leslie 
issues a newspaper of his own, the Sun, which scintillates with sharp things, so 
sharp, in fact, that Mr. Leslie is about the only one who cares to say them on hi< 
own responsibility. 

When the village, something over a year ago, proposed to put in a water 
plant of its own and thus practically force the old water company out of busi- 
ness, occasion was furnished for the publication of the Sun. In it Mr. Leslie 
discussed Norman O. Shepard, now the McKinley League Supervisor of the 
town, and then an ex-President of the village. Mr. Shepard was formerly a 
partner of E. E. Hall in the undertaking and furniture business. Mr. Leslie is 
accused of having said regarding Mr. Shepard that, while he was village Prcsi- 



HISTORY Ui- SK.IXI:.! I J:LLS. 4'S 

(lent, his partner, Mr. Hall, received capital stock from the old water company, 
and that this fact had an important bearing on the granting to the company of a 
franchise which was of considerable value. The inference which it was intended 
that the public should make is plain. Mr. Shcpard accordingly brought an 
action against Mr. Leslie for libel, asking damages in $10,000. The attorneys 
are F. E. Stone for the plaintiff and Charles R. Milford for the defendant. M. 
E. Driscoll, of this city, will act as counsel with Mr. Milford. 

There is another action brought by S. E. Benedict against Mr. Leslie of a 
similar nature. Mr. Benedict was village Clerk, and the Sun told the public that 
certain changes had been made in the minutes of the village board which showed 
that resolutions had been passed wliicli. it was claiTiu'd. liad never been passed 
in fact. 



From The Svi<.\cl'se St.\.\d.\rii. 

Before Justice McLennan yesterday morning in the trial term of the Supreme 
Court the case of Samuel E. Benedict against E. Norman Leslie was taken up. 
This is the second case which has resulted from statements published by Mr. 
Leslie in his Sun, an organ which periodically appears in the stormy sky of 
Skaneatcles village politics. Mr. Leslie is sole editor and proprietor, and he says 
just what he has a mind to. and puts the facts just as strong as he has a mind 
to. In fact, he rejoices in the freedom of the press, and never intends to be 
throttled from voicing his opinions, no matter if he is the only one who holds 
them. In law Mr. Leslie has been as successful as he was as a Xew York 
T'l. reliant or as an editor. In the first suit which was brought for $25,000 dam- 
to character, reputation, and feelings by reason of alleged slanderous and 
■ us publications in Leslie's Sun. \. O. Shcpard received a verdict of six 
cents as the measure of damages sustained. Mr. Benedict was hardly so suc- 
cessful, for the jury in his case said that there was no cause of action. 

The plaintiff was village Clerk, and the article in question accused him of 
being dishonest in that he changed the minutes of the Board of Trustees by first 
adding to the report made by the Clerk pro tem. when he copied them on the 
record, and then by changing the record he had made. The change was in re- 
gard to the passing of a resolution in 1889 extending the franchise of the Skan- 
eatcles water company. 

The defense \nn in no evidence and made no denial of the publication. M. 
E. Driscoll, who appeared with Charles R. Milford. stated that they would rest 
on the facts as shown. In summing up, he saiil that Mr. Leslie was President of 
the village, and it was his duty to present the facts as they were regarding 
the water company. The publication, he said, was during a political campaign, 
and the man who took exception to the statements must he very thin-skinned. 
The jury was out but a few minutes. 



4i6 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

From The Syracuse Standard. 

In E. Norman Leslie's defense to Norman O. Shepard's libel suit, there was 
no evidence put in. M. E. Driscoll chose to sum it up on the evidence for Super- 
visor Shepard. He made light of the whole business, and that is no joke, be- 
cause the libel was published in Leslie's paper the Sun. F. E. Stone for Shepard 
said he wanted Leslie muzzled. Justice McLennan referred to it as a neighbor- 
hood scrap. And the jury gave six cents damages after twenty minutes' con- 
sideration. Tempest in a teapot. 'Rah for Skaneateles! 



From The Syracuse Journal. 

" Unfathomable " is a word found in the dictionary, but it is seldom cor- 
rectly used, and, as science progresses, its use is becoming more restricted every 
year. It can only now be applied to some parts of the southern Pacific Ocean and 
Skaneateles politics. It may be restricted as to the former, but hardly as to the 
latter, even if Justice McLennan and a jury did start in to fathom one part 
of it this morning. It was in the libel action of Norman O. Shepard, now Super- 
visor from that township, against E. Norman Leslie, one of the oldest, sprightli- 
est, and wealthiest men in the village. 

During political stresses of weather Mr. Leslie has published a paper called 
the Sun, that bears the slogan that " It shines for all." It shone on Mr. Shepard, 
and he now asks $10,000 damages for the shining. Semi-occasionally and tri- 
irregularly this sheet has appeared, and in it is the announcement that it " will 
continue to shine, striking deviltry where it exists, and striking when the iron is 
hot." Mr. Shepard says it has wickedly and maliciously struck him, but he 
doesn't say in which section of his anatomy. One " slap " came in the ceme- 
tery association affair, and another in the water works controversy. Mr. Les- 
lie went to the Attorney-General with one " scrap," and it was dismissed on the 
opposing affidavits by Mr. Shepard. Then the Sun called Mr. Shepard a bad 
man, and his affidavit " a lying one." 

When the water works fight was on, and the village was trying to own one 
of its own, the Sun did a lot of shining. A shining remark that Mr. Shepard 
kicked on was this : " Barrow got $30,000 for his services as attorney for the 
company, which were not nearly so valuable as N. O. Shepard's services in 
promising the extension of the franchise for two years — the interesting particu- 
lars of this last disgraceful affair will be given later on — for without the fran- 
chise, and especially the extension of it for two years, the water works com- 
pany would have collapsed. Shepard's services must have been worth to the 
' out of town gentlemen ' at the very least $50,000." 



IIlSTORy or SK.IXEATELES. 417 

At another point, the writer wanted to know if any of the Sun's readers 
doubted that Mr. Shepard got $2,000, which was purported to have been paid 
his partner, Edwin E. Hall, for $10,000 worth of stock in the water company. 

Mr. Leslie answers that he believed it his duty to publish the facts as he un- 
derstood them, and he did not intend to charge perjury or bring Mr. Shepard into 
infamy and disgrace. The only admissions were as to the wealth of the parties, 
and that both had tried their hands at being President of the village. 

Mr. Shepard went on the stand first. He had heard again and again of the 
Leslie charges, and he was kept busy denying them. He didn't remember all 
that was in his affidavit before the Attorney-General, when it came to the cross- 
examination. He believed that everything he said was true, and he had said 
some things that Mr. Leslie took exceptions to. He said he never owned 
stock in the water company, but his partner, Mr. Hall, had. He admitted 
that he was a close personal friend. 

George Barrow, the president of the Skaneateles water company, was a wit- 
ness, and verified the statement that Shepard owned no stock. He said that 
Mr. Leslie was a man of influence in the community and wealthy. 

Edwin E. Hall said that he owned the stock and not Shepard, and he was sure 
his partner never had anything to do with it. He paid the money for it, but 
didn't remember how much. Before the noon recess the plaintiff rested, and with 
the openintj of the afternoon session the defense was commenced. 



Fro.m The Svr.xclse Post, March 29, 1898. 

A nominal verdict was obtained before Justice McLennan yesterday in the Sec- 
ond Division of the Supreme Court in the case of Norman O. Shepard, the pres- 
ent Supervisor from Skaneateles, against E. Xorman Leslie, one of the oldest and 
wealthiest residents of that village. The. suit was to recover damages for an al- 
leged libelous article claimed to have been written by the defendant, and which 
appeared in what is known as the Sun. a publication of that village. 

The announcement of the verdict was about as funny as the entire suit. Jus- 
tice McLennan had adjourned his court when the jury found itself ready to re- 
port, and it was received by Justice Williams. The foreman was a rather elderly 
farmer, who had a peculiar voice and apparently a bad state of fright. He 
arose and said: " We find for the plaintiff in the sum of six cents." The Judge 
laughed when he heard the peculiar noise, and so did the people in court. 

The claim of Mr. Shepard was that he had been injured by articles in the 
paper, and that allegations had been made reflecting uihui his good name and 
rh.irn. I. r Th.- complaint asked damages in the sum of $10,000. 



4i8 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

An Inside History of Lake View Cemetery, Which Has Never Before 
Been Made Public. 

Previously to the establishment of the Incorporated Rural Cemetery Associa- 
tion of Lake View in the year 1871, all the burial-grounds in the village of Skane- 
ateles were controlled by private persons, who used the income or profits for their 
own individual benefit, except Freeborn G. Jewett, Sr. I was the originator, pro- 
moter, and organizer of the present Lake View Cemetery. I first issued a call for 
a public meeting June 29, 1871, which was published in the Skaneateles Demo- 
crat, and without consultation appended thereto the names of such public-spirited 
citizens as suggested themselves to my mind at the moment, well knowing that 
the gentlemen named would not object to the use of their names for so com- 
mendable a purpose. Before the advertisement appeared, however, I made known 
the project to a few of the persons named, all of whom fully indorsed the use of 
their names to the call for a public meeting. The call was as follows : 

Puni.ic Meeting. 
The citizens of the village of Skaneateles are requested to meet at Legg Hall, on Satur- 
day next, July 1st, at 4 P. M., to take such preliminary action as may be necessary to organ- 
ize and establish an Incorporated Public Cemetery. 

I was fully aware of the determined opposition to be encountered from the 
proprietor of the old burial-ground. Such opposition was incurred, as has been 
fully described in Chapter XVIII. of this volume. The late Charles Pardee, 
who owned the old burial-ground, was opposed to the incorporation of a new 
cemetery. His nearest friends at that time estimated him as being worth 
$350,000. His opposition to a new cemetery was a power not to be despised. His 
influence in the community at large was supreme. Money was only required to 
fully establish a new cemetery against all opposition, and such money was by 
m\self advanced, as will be recited hereinafter. The result of the public meet- 
ing was the Incorporation of the Rural Cemetery Association of Lake \'iew. 
which took place August 27, 1871. Now is recited the inside history. 

T assumed the position of both Secretary and Treasurer, in order to be in a 
position to carry out my original intention of establishing on a firm basis an In- 
corporated Public Cemetery, under ".\\^ .Xct atithorizing the Incorporation of 
Rural Cemetery Associations, passed Aiiril 27, 1847. and the Acts amending the 
same." 

This act required that a public meeting should be held, and that twelve trustees 
must be elected bv ballot, and after such election they were to be divided into 



HISrURy OF SK.IXEATHLES. 



419 



three classes: One class to serve one year; the second class to serve two years; 
and the third class to serve three years, and in every succeeding year thereafter 
there should be elected by the lot-owners, three trustees, to serve three years. 
Twelve trustees were balloted for and elected. ,\ majority of those elected were 
unfortunately the friends and adherents of the late L". Pardee, who was opposed 
to incorporatingf a cemetery. At every mectinp of the newly elected trustees 




IlKAINICKU (Si,- puif. 



thereafter f(jr business ])urposes. there was a want of interest manifested, and oc- 
casionally a word of warning fnjm one or more of C. I'ardce's friends not to 
do anything to displease him during tiie organization of the new cemetery. 

After the lands had been negotiated and staked out for the new cemetery, 
money to make the payment for them had to be (>btaine<l by soliciting loans from 
public-spirited citizens of both town and village who were interested in establish- 
ing an Incorporated Public Cemetery. Not a single trustee of the twelve balloted 
for at the public meeting volunteered to solicit subscriptions, consequently I 



420 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

assumed that duty. Only five of the twelve trustees subscribed, three of whom 
subscribed two hundred dollars each, including my own, and two subscribed one 
hundred dollars each. One of C. Pardee's friends subscribed one hundred dollars, 
but never paid the money. The sum of money required to pay for the lands was 
$2,150. The want of interest among the majority of the trustees was apparent, 
so much so that I became fully aware that the new cemetery would be a failure 
unless I assumed the whole duty of soliciting loans. I therefore made it a busi- 
ness for nearly two weeks to solicit loans, at the same time explaining that the 
security to be received for such loans would be a certificate of indebtedness, issued 
under authority of law, and bearing seven per cent, interest, until redeemed from 
one-half of the sales of lots. (Such security resulted in being worthless!) 
Owing to the negligence and indifference of the future officers of the village, in- 
cluding the village Trustees, these certificates of indebtedness were never re- 
deemed according to their terms from sales of lots. 

In order fully to show the security afforded by a certificate of indebtedness, 
the following is a copy of one which was given to Thomas Y. Avery for a loan 
of one hundred dollars, for which he paid in cash, February 25, 1873, and which 
has never been redeemed by the village of Skaneateles, which owns the cemetery, 
and has had the use of Thomas Y. Avery's one hundred dollars since February 
25. 1873. He has since died, and the village of Skaneateles is indebted to his 
family twenty-eight years' interest and the one hundred dollars, at the rate of 
seven per cent., which amount would be three hundrctl dollars. 

Lake View Cemetery. 
certific.^te of indebtedness. 
The Association of Lake View does hereby certify that Thomas Y. Avery, of Skaneate- 
les, has subscribed, for the purpose of purchasing the lands conveyed to the said Associa- 
tion, the sum of one hundred dollars, and will pay the same on the 25th day of February, 
1873. Now, it is hereby agreed by the said Association, that one-half of the money received 
on the sale of lots in said Cemetery lands is hereby pledged to the repayment of the sub- 
scribers aforesaid, for the amount which they shall respectively pay, until the whole amount 
thereof, with interest, is paid, and that the said Thomas Y. Avery will be entitled to his 
pro rata share of such receipts as the same are from time to time realized, imtil he shall 
have received full payment of the amount that he may have paid in cash, with interest. 

Witness the subscription of the names of the President and Secretary of the 
said Association hereto, this 25th day of February. 1873. 

JoEi. Thayer, President. 
E. Norman Leslie, Secretary. 

By great perseverance I obtained twenty subscriptions, comprising amounts 
of from fifty to two hundred dollars, the total of which was twenty-five hundred 
dollars, seventeen of which were of one hundred dollars each. Eight of these 
were never paid. Another one hundred dollar subscriber, who was one of Mr. 
Pardee's friends, paid fifty dollars in cash, and gave his promissory note payable 
at bank for fifty dollars. He received a certificate of indebtedness for one hun- 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 4-^ 

tired dollars. He afterward purchased two lots, costing sixty dollars, which were 
charged to his account. lie never paid his note for fifty dollars, and has retained 
the certificate of indebtedness ever since. He was charged with interest from 
time to time up to March lo. 1880, at which date he owed tjie association $10975, 
and has never paid any money since. 

I kept the financial accounts of the association by double entry. I kept an 
account at bank under the name of "Lake View" (distinct from my individual ac- 
count). All moneys received on account of the association were deposited to that 
account, and all payments were by check against that account. 1 kept as Secre- 
tar}- all the records of the business meetings of the trustees of the association 
until Xovember 24, 1885. By resolution I was empowered to issue calls for 
meetings of the trustees, and also to preside as Chairman. I filled out the deed 
blanks and delivered them to purchasers of lots, when the money was paid. As 
a matter of fact. I was the only active member of the association who attended to 
all the details. This fact is indisputable. 

The W.\nt of Interest bv the Trustees. — The following copy from the 
records of proceedings, page 40, is here inserted : 

"A meeting of the Trustees was called Saturday, July 1.2, 1873, but was un- 
attended. There seems to be a want of interest in this undertaking. The Secre- 
tary hereby places on record the fact that, owing to the want of the necessary 
funds due the Association from the subscription to the loan, as recorded on the 
previous page, he has advanced four hundred and sixteen 3-100 dollars, all of 
which, together with his subscription of two hundred dollars, has been expended 
for the necessary improvements in the Cemetery. In addition to this, he has 
devoted his whole time during the present season in laying out the roads, lots, 
ditches, and superintending the work. This has been necessary to save a much 
larger expenditure." 

Anotuer Meeting, Unattended. — Copied from page 38 of the record: 

" At a meeting duly called by the issuance of notices through the post-office, 
to take place on Friday evening, June 13, 1873. at seven o'clock, at the Bank of 
Skaneateles, there was not a quorum present." 

It is unnecessary to make further quotations of a want of interest in establish- 
mg the new cemetery. 

First Expenditure. — The first expenditure on the new cemetery was from 
the loan of two hundred dollars subscribed by myself. On page I of the day- 
book, E. N. Leslie was credited with "Cash. $200," which was stated as follows : 
" For the following expenses paid out by him, laying out. an<l other necessary 
outlays, the money thus used being his advanced paytnent on account of his sub- 
scription toward the loan to the Cemetery." This expenditure, commenced 
March i, 1872. continued through 1872. and ended in the month of April, 1873. 
I took two certificates of indebtedness for the two hundred dollar loan. I aver- 
aged each one hundred dollars of the loan. The first one averaged as having 
been expended July 2''). 1872. The other one hundred dollars averaged as having 



422 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

been paid by me February 25, 1873. I was very exact in crediting my payments. 
The usual course adopted by officers of corporations would have been to have 
credited the full loan at the commencement of the outlay. 

The subscriptions J:o the loan which had been paid were not sufficient to pay 
the cost of the lands for the new cemetery when the payment became due, April 
I, 1873. Six hundred and fifty dollars was required to make up the amount. 
That money had to be paid, according to the terms of sale. None of the trustees 
had sufficient interest in the final establishment of the cemetery to ofTer to loan 
the money needed to make the final payment for the lands. I was deeply inter- 
ested in the success of the cemetery, but at that time I had not the necessary 
money on hand. Yet I found a way to obtain the money : I gave my own in- 
dividual promissory note as a private individual to the order of E. Norman Les- 
lie. Treasurer of Lake View Cemetery Association, and oiifered the note for dis- 
count to the Bank of Skaneateles. The bank accepted the security and paid me 
the money, with which I paid the deficiency of six hundred and fifty dollars. 
Then the lands for the new cemetery were secured. 

I ought to have selected lots in the new cemetery for all my advances of 
money as loans, and have taken deeds for them. That would have been a safe 
investment ; but, as I had the full charge of the finances, I felt sure that my 
loans would finally be returned to me from the sales of lots. 

On page 39 of the record of proceedings, another advance of money by me. 
amounting to $315.12, was recorded. .A. further advance of money by me was en- 
tered in day-book, page 2, as follows : E. N. Leslie was credited for the fol- 
lowing unpaid subscriptions, advanced by him May 21. T873, to pay necessary ex- 
penses in laying out cemetery, .$500. the said advance of $500 having been ex- 
pended as per page 3, amounting to $490.08, which was averaged as having been 
paid June 23. 1873. The balance, $9.92, was used for ot<aer expenses. 

Owing to the determined opposition of the late C. Pardee, and of the inhabit- 
ants of both town and village who were afraid of his influence over their busi- 
ness afl'airs, it seemed impossible to sell or dispose of any lots in the new ceme- 
tery ; therefore, on March i, 1880. the following entry was recorded in the day- 
book, page 24: , 

Memorandum. 
" It was very generally agreed, among the holders of the Certificates of Indebtedness of 
the Cemetery of Lake View, that the interest on said Certificates should cease March 10, 1880. 
inasmuch as the finances of the Association were in an embarrassed condition, and there 
seemed to be no prospect of their being liquidated according to their terms. And. also, the 
holders to take the Certificate value in lots of the Association, with interest added to sail 
date of March 10, 1880. 

"Interest was computed on all outstanding Certificates, and carried to the credit of each 
Certificate holder." 

Of course, the above memorandtim was not binding on any certificate holder, 
but many did accept the situation, and selected lots for their certificates, with 



HISTORY or SKASEATELES. 423 

interest added to March 10, 1880. 1 accepted the situation. March 10, 1880, I 
credited my account with interest on my two certificates of indebtedness, $102.56. 
April 26, 1880, I credited my account with interest on my first advances of money, 
June 23, 1873, which was $234.66. 

SUMMAKV OF AdV.\.\CES OF MoNEY Lo.VNEII TO THE CeMETEKY ASSOCIATION. 

— Until ^larch 10, 1880, when it became known that the conditions of the cer- 
tificates of indebtedness could not be paid as there were no sales of burial-lots 
or money on hand, I had not credited my ledger account with the several loans 
of money 1 had made to the association, which I considered of a temporary na- 
ture. These were as follows : 

April I, 1873. Deficiency of money to pay for lands §650.00 

April 4, 1873. Cash paid for fencing, etc 315 i- 

May 21, 1873. My advance of five unpaid subscriptions 500.00 

June 20, 1873. Money advanced for necessary work 4lC>.03 

$1,881.15 

Oct. 9, 1872. My subscription to lean, paid in cash 200.00 

March 10, 1880. Interest on this loan to date 102.56 

$2,183.71 
March 10, 1880. Interest on the above four loans from their several dates 892.04 

Total loans, with interest added $3.07575 

Offsets as follows : 

Offsets to Monev Advanced bv Me. 

M iich 10, 1880. I charged myself with my burial lot $108.60 

• «:h 10, 1880. I sold two lots, one of 559 feet and the other 400 feet, in all 950 

feet, and charged myself with the money received I43-85' 

' mber 15, 1877. I charged myself with ijS-OO 

■ 3, 1878. I charged myself with 83.67 

12, 1873. I charged myself with 92.16 

I. 6, 1879. I charged myself with 100.00 

Much 10, 1880. I charged myself with 3000 

Total of offsets $71328 

ince of total loans, with interest added as above $3i07575 

t^eis deducted as follows 7'3a8 

Balance due K N. Leslie up to March 10. l8«o $2,362.47 

The above stateinent of account shows conclusively that the Cemetery Asso- 
.ition was indebted to me, on March 10. 1880, $2,362.47. 

At various times during the pendency of the floating debt, I charged myself 
with several Inirial-lots, which I marked on the map of the cemetery with my 
initials: 



424 HISTORY OF SKAKLIATELES. 

Oct. I, 1878. I charged myself with Lot No. 125 in Section 2 $ 93.75 

Jan. 10, 1880. I charged myself with the following four lots : Numbers 5, 6, 7, and 8, 

in Section 4 120.00 

Total $213.75 

Although charged to me, 1 never received the money for which the lots above 
were sold, consequently I did not enter their cost as an offset of the floating debt. 

Repayment Assured. — The eventual repayment of the loans advanced by 
me was fully assured by the terms of the act authorizing the incorporating of 
Rural Cemetery Associations, passed April 27, 1847, Chapter 133. I therefore 
did not hesitate to make necessary advances from time to time to insure the 
final completion of Lake View Rural Cemetery against the determined opposition 
which was encountered. 

Chapter 133 of the Laws of 1847 reads thus: 

" Section 7. One-half at least of the proceeds of all sales of lots or plats 
shall be first appropriated to the payment of the purchase money acquired by the 
association until the whole purchase money shall be paid, and after the payment 
of the purchase inoney and the debts contracted therefor, and for surveying and 
laying out the land, the proceeds of all future sales shall be applied to the improve- 
ment, embellishment, and preservation of such cemetery, and for incidental ex- 
penses, and for no other purpose and object." 

As I was not only Treasurer, but also Secretary, I kept the detail of the ex- 
penditure of all the money expended, and whenever there was an opportunity to 
make an oflfset against my loans, which I termed in my accounts a " floating 
debt," I did so. Sucii offsets were known to the Trustees of the Rural Cemetery 
Association, and they knew also of my advances of money, not only to pay for the 
lands, but for laying out the grounds. 

This mode of offsetting toward the liquidation of the floating debt, contin- 
ued until the Rural Cemetery Association was donated to " The Trustees of the 
Village of Skaneateles," which as a matter of course was obligated to assume all 
the pledges and indebtedness of the Rural Cemetery Association, including not 
only the certificates of indebtedness, but my loans to the association for the pur- 
pose of paying for the lands and for laying them out. 

The conditions of the Act of 1847, Section 7, provided that one-half at least 
of the proceeds of the sales of lots shall be appropriated, not only to pay for 
the lands, but to the payment of the debts, and for surveying and laying out the 
lands. The village Trustees held possession of the cemetery, after having ac- 
cepted the gift of Lake View Cemetery Association, until they appointed 
cemetery conmiissioners, whose only duty it was to lay out, beautify, and improve 
the lands. As the Rural Cemetery Association had already laid out, improved, 
and beautified its lands, there was no necessity of appointing cemetery commis- 
sioners to do the same work, nevertheless cemetery commissioners were appointed, 
who were the agents of the village Trustees. It therefore became their duty to 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 425 

notify the owners of certificates of indebtedness and others who had loaned 
money to the association that they had money on hand for the payment pro rata 
pledged to the repayment of such indebtedness. Neither the village Trustees nor 
their representatives, the Cemeterj' Commissioners, have ever attempted or even 
intended to pay such indebtedness. 

The commissioners have ever since the first record of their proceedings 
(meaning the present commissioners), dated March i, 1892, had continually 
large balances of money on hand, and carried them forward from year to year 
as follows: March i, 1892, balance, $908.24; March i. 1893, $537.70; March 
I, 1894, $654.44; March i, 1895, $904.62; March i, 1896, $946.18; March 
I. 1897, $1124.31; March i, 1898, $1364.71 ; March i, 1899, $1484.30; March i, 
1900, $1555.68; March i, 1901, $1881.52! Here is an average of $1,136 per 
year, a total of $11,361.70 for ten years. 

Every year since March i, 1892, until July i, 1897, the village Trustees have 
passed a resolution similar in effect to the following: 

" Resok'cd, That the sum of (naming the balance on hand) be appropriated 
and turned over to the Board of Cemetery Commissioners, and that a draft pay- 
able to the order of said Cemetery Commissioners be drawn on the Treasurer 
for the same." 

Thus the large income derived from the cemetery was diverted by the Trus- 
tees of the village from their obligations to pay the pledges and indebtedness of 
the Rural Cemetery Association when they accepted the gift of the cemetery from 
Joel and Mrs. Thayer, April 9, 1880. 

Since July i, 1897, when the new village Law went into effect, the annual bal- 
ances of the cemetery commissioners have been paid to the Treasurer of the vil- 
lage, subject only to the order of the Trustees of the village. The presumption 
is, therefore, that the Corporation of the village of Skaneateles, which owns the 
cemetery, and has received all the income and profits arising therefrom, is re- 
sponsible for all the pledges, debts, and other obligations of the Rural Cemetery 
Association which have not been liquidated, and arc now a just claim against 
the Corporation of the village of Skaneateles. 

Although Chapter 133 of the Laws of 1847 provided only that one-half at 
least of the proceeds of all sales of lots or plats shall be first appropriated for 
the debts, laying out, etc., still, under present conditions, where there is an out- 
standing indebtedness, all surplus income can be appropriated for the liquidation 
of long-standing indebtedness. 

My advances of money to the Rural Cemetery Association have no docu- 
mentary evidence, except as Treasurer, where in my accounts I made entries 
where and how such loans were expended, and as Secretary I kept all the pro- 
ceedings of the officers of the association, and in a few instances when there was 
a meeting I reported the sums of money I had advanced for laying out and .)ihcr 
improvements, which were by resolution adopted. 

Tli.^ hil.-iti, ,• rltie to me up to March ID, 1880. $2362.47. 



426 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

There was due, same date, to Thomas Y. Avery, $149.25. 

Neither of which has been Hquidated in any manner. 

The existence of Lake View Cemetery as it is to-day would have been an im- 
possibility, without the loans of money which were made by me to complete the 
purchase of the lands, and to pay the expense of laying out the grounds, and fully 
completing the cemetery in all details. There was no other money used for 
this purpose but the money advanced by me. 

The corporation of the village of Skaneateles is the owner of the cemetery, 
which came to it as a gift, and which has never cost its taxpayers any money, 
and it is justly responsible for all the obligations of the Rural Association, from 
whom it accepted the cemetery as a gift. It, through its appointed agents, the 
cemetery commissioners, has received large profits from the use of the cemetery, 
as has heretofore been stated, and is justly responsible to pay me the sum due 
me March 10, 1880, $2,362.47, and also the full amount due Thomas Y. Avery 
from the date of his original loan of $100, with interest to date. The submis- 
sion of a proposition to the qualified voters of the village, under Section 59 of 
the village Law, directing the Trustees of the village of Skaneateles to pay the 
said indebtedness from the income of the cemetery (excepting income from trust 
funds), would be a lawful proceeding, as T have been informed by the Commis- 
sion of Statutory Revision on the question of granting a franchise which is not 
specifically mentioned in the village Law. The qualified voters would un- 
doubtedly vote favorably on such a proiiosition. after having become assured 
that such proposition was a just claim against the ])rofits of the cemetery only, 
and not to cost the taxpayers a single dollar. 

The late Joel Thayer had been President of the association until August. 
1879, when he declined reelection, as he had at that time ])urchased the C. Pardee 
interest in the old burying-ground. for the purpose of conveying it to the Trustees 
of the village of Skaneateles. 

At a meeting of the trustees of the Association of Lake \'iew, held April 
3, 1880, the following resolution was unanimously passed: "Resolved, That 
the President and Treasurer be, and are hereby, authorized to cause the corpo- 
rate seal to be affixed, and to execute a deed of conveyance covering and includ- 
ing all the lands of the Cemetery Association, incorporated under the name and 
style of 'Lake View,' to Joel Thayer and Juliet L. Thayer, of the village of Skane- 
ateles, under and by authority of Chapter 52 of the I^aws of 1880." 

That was a great mistake, as the Rural Cemetery Association ought to have 
been continued, and have been an independent corporation, which would have re- 
deemed all its certificates of indebtedness, and also the $3,073 wliich \ loaned 
the association, from one-half of the sales of lots, according to the terms of the 
loan. I 'nfortunately, I assented to the transfer of Lake View lands to the Trus- 
tees of the village of Skaneateles. under Chapter 52 of the Laws of 1880. 

The corporation of the village Trustees has never paid a single certificate of 
indebtedness itself, or by its appointed officers the Cemetery Commissioners, nor 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 4»7 

has the money loaned by nie to the Rural Association ever been paiil, since March 
ID, 1880! The village of Skaneateles, therefore, became the owner of the whole 
cemetery, without being taxed for its purchase. 

The village Trustees thereafter appointed five Cemetery Commissioners for 
the term of five years from April 26, 1880, and their whole duties were to lay out 
and beautify the lands. Those appointed were Joel Thayer, K. Norman Leslie, 
James A. Root, T. Kelley, and Wills Clift. These commissioners had all been 
trustees of the Rural Cemetery Association, which was an independent corpora- 
tion over which the village Trustees had no control. As trustees of an inde- 
pendent corporation, they had full powers to sell lots, plats, and graves, and to 
retain the moneys received, and to expend such moneys as they deemed for the 
interest of their association, entirely independent of the Trustees of the village. 
Having been trustees of an independent corporation, they only knew that their 
names or titles had been changed to Cemetery Commissioners, and were not aware 
that their powers as such commissioners had become very limited, consequently, 
after their appointment, and. without having been informed by the village Trus- 
tees, that their whole powers as commissioners consisted in laying out any new 
grounds that may be purchased by the village Trustees. In consequence of their 
being in complete ignorance of their limited powers, they continued the same 
powers as they had as officers of a Rural Cemetery Association, sold lots, plats, 
and graves, kept the moneys, and expended it just as they thought best, and, in 
fact, assumed control of the cemetery, independent of the village Trustees, who 
were seemingly quite as ignorant as was their appointed Cemetery Commis- 
loners of the latters' powers and duties. 

Moti'. — The author deems it of importance at this point of the inside history 
■ I I^ke \'iew Cemetery to insert an explanaton,- paragraph. 

There having been five cemetery commissioners appointed by the Trustees of 
the village, they were public officers — " public functionaries," under the opinion 
f the court, in 81 N. Y.. pp. 1 16-126. which reads as follows : 

" We are of the opinion that the official act of a public functionary may be 
freely criticized, and entire freedom of expression used in argument, sarcasm and 
ridicule upon the act itself: and that then the occasion will excuse everything 
hut actual malice and evil purpose of the critic." — Foi.oer, J. 

One of the five cemetery commissioners was particularly active as a public func- 
tionary in the further details of this inside history'. It has. therefore, become 
necessary to indicate him by the word officiol in criticizing his acts as such com- 
missioner. It was only after his apf)i)intmcnt that opportunities ceased to ofTsct 
the moneys loaned the Rural Cemetery .Association. 

The death of Joel Thayer, who hafi been an active and interested member of 
the Rural .Association from its commencement, occurred May 19, 1881. The 
official, whom the village Trustees appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned 
by the death of Joel Thayer, first attended a meeting of the commissioners held 
Septcnilxr f' 1881. It was soon noticed that li<- .-is-iiimf<l liu- n.!c iA " linss " 



428 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

At that meeting, September 6, 1881, Benoni Lee was present as counsel, and 
he was requested to read the statute, Chapter 696 of the Laws of 1871, defining 
the duties and powers of Cemetery Commissioners. It was ascertained that their 
powers were much more restricted and limited than had been anticipated, and 
it was then suggested that an ordinance be prepared and submitted to the Trus- 
tees of the village for their approval and action, giving to the commissioners such 
additional powers as was suggested by the ordinances submitted. The sug- 
gestion was not adopted, and no ordinances were prepared, and consequently 
none were submitted. Under these conditions, the commissioners never received 
any additional powers. But since that time the commissioners have assumed un- 
warrantable, illegal, and unjust powers over the property of the people of the 
village of Skaneateles, adopting arbitrary rules which are inconsistent with the 
rights of every inhabitant of the village, who are the owners of the cemetery, 
particularly the commissioners' arbitrary determination that they will not receive 
any money less than fifty dollars in trust for the perpetual care of a lot in the 
cemetery. It is seldom if ever that mechanics, laborers, or women receive 
fifty dollars in ready money which can be spared for this or for any one purpose. 
Every individual in the community has an undoubted right to deposit any money 
in trust with the servants of the village, and such servants are only empowered 
to adopt reasonable rules. See Section 292, village Laws. Also see Chapter 
139, Laws of 1881, Section i: "Every corporation which shall, under authority 
of law, hold, occupy, and use lands for a cemetery may receive by gift any 
moneys for the maintenance of any private lot, according to the terms of such 
gift." The power and privilege to build up a trust fund from year to year be- 
long to the people, who are the owners of the cemetery, and the commissioners 
have no power to deprive them of their rights. If the commissioners were elec- 
tive ofiicers, the people would then have the power to correct unreasonable 
abuses, but as they are not elective, and far beyond the reach of the people, they 
are powerless. 

The following is a full list of trust ftmds deposited with the Cemetery Com- 
missioners to date of the vear igoi : 



Total Trusts Received to 1901. 

No. Name. Amount. No. Name. .•Xmou.n't. 

1. Benoni Lee $300.00 10. F. L. Cuddeback $50.00 

2. Mary F. Fuller 50.00 11. Schuyler Moore 5000 

3. Harriet A. Van Fliet 50.00 12. L. S. and H. W. Cleaveland. Ex. 100.00 

4. Clarissa II. Brown 50.00 13. E. B. Hoyt 100.00 

5. John Davey 50.00 14. William Marvin 100.00 

6. E. S. Hoyt 100.00 15. H. Cornell 50.00 

7. E. Peacock 50.00 16. Star Greenfield 50-00 

8. John Rossiter 50.00 17. Sarah Douglass 100.00 

9. A. A. Brooks 50.00 18. Willis Piatt, Ex 80.00 



HISTORY OF SKJNEATELES. 4^9 

Xu. Name. Amount. No. Name. Amount. 

19. Laura R. Roosevelt $175 00 40. Sarah J. Vary $75 00 

20. Jane L. Burridge 50.00 41. William Orr 100.00 

21. Simon Cook 50.00 42. Jane Hardwich 80.00 

2->. Henry James 50.00 43. Estate M. A. Harris 50.00 

23. Mary T. Porter loo.oo 44. Angeline A. Benedict 150.00 

24. Captain Benjamin Lee 50.00 45. Helen A. Young 50.00 

25. F. G. and J. H. Austin 50.00 46. Helen A. Young 50.00 

26. Estate Benjamin Petheram 50.00 47. Catharine C. Groom 50.00 

27. E. B. Rhoades 50.00 48. Mary A. Charles 80.00 

28. Sarah E. Horton 50.00 49. C.C.Bradford 100.00 

29. Minerva Voorhees 50.00 50. Elizabeth A. Bums 50.00 

30. Sarah W. Shotwell 80.00 51. F. C. Lawrence 50.00 

31. Willis Piatt 50.00 52. B. B. Northrup 80.00 

32. Thomas Corley 50.00 53. Matilda Clark 50.00 

33. Maria M. Morgan 100.00 54. Jane Harwood 50.00 

34. C. W. Allis 80.00 55. Laura A. Rhodes, etc 93.50 

35. W. B. Lawton 50.00 56. Eliza Holben 50.00 

36. H. J. Gibbs, Estate 150.00 57. James W. Webb 50.00 

37. Newell Turner 80.00 58. Eliza P. Sandford 125.00 

38. W. P. Baker 80.00 59. Estate E. A. Campbell 100.00 

39. Phoebe J. Sampson 200.00 — Miss Hetty Kennedy 30.00 



These fifty-nine trusts consist mostly of non-residents of the village of 
Skaneateles. Most of them were bequests by last will and testament • a few in 
person during life. The cemeter)' belongs to the inhabitants of the village. 
Very few of their names are to be found among the depositors of these trusts. 
Where are the names of the workingmen — the carpenters, the masons, the 
painters, the iron-workers, the merchants, the clerks, the day-laborers, and other 
residents of limited means? All those thus enumerated compose mostly the en- 
tire population. Their interest in the future care of their burial-lots in the vil- 
lage cemetery is as close to their hearts as those named in this list of trusts. 

The last name on the list, Miss Hetty Kennedy, as will be noticed, is not num- 
bered, being next to No. 59, and not received as a trust. It is explained by the 
fact that the cemetery commissioners would not receive thirty dollars in trust 
for the care of a little lot. Thirty dollars, at savings-bank interest, will earn 
$1.05 per year. The cemetery commissioners would charge only one dollar per 
year for the same lot if paid in cash annually. The iron rule — made, in my opin- 
ion, by the official — seems to be the guide of his associate commissioners, whose 
antecedents would naturally favor the working population. 

A few years ago, I endeavored to make an experiment relative to depositing 
trust moneys with these boss commissioners. I as an executor had one himdrcd 
and fifty dollars to be deposited in trust, and also thirty dollars for the same 
purpose. Besides these I contributed five dollars for a friend, to be deposited 
in trust as the foundation of a ftind to be a<lded to from time to time in the fu- 
ture. In response to this, the following communication was received: 



43° HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Skaneateles, N. Y., November 9, 1897. 
Mr. E. N. Leslie: 

Dear Sir: Your communications regarding trust moneys presented to this Board was 
acted upon, and I am ordered to report as follows : 

The Board accepts the offer of $150.00 for perpetual care of the William Gibbs lot, and 
enclosed find trust deeds in duplicate, etc. 

Regarding the other two sums, namely, the amount of $5.00 in behalf of .... for 
the care of Lot No. 64, and the sum of $30.00 for the care of Lot No. 84, etc., I am ordered 
to return to you, together with a copy of a resolution of this Board bearing upon receiving 
such sums. 

You will please find a copy of the resolution attached and enclosed herewith. 

Respectfully yours, 

Warren B. De Witt, Clerk. 

[copy.] 

Skaneateles, N. Y. 
Copy of resolution pertaining to trust moneys, adopted by the Board of Cemetery Com- 
missioners: 

Resolved, That no Trust Fund for a sum less than fifty dollars be received for the per- 
petual care of any one lot, and trust funds for care of all lots exceeding 10 by 20 feet shall 
be at the rate of twenty-five cents per superficial foot ; but amounts less than fifty dollars 
will be accepted for the care of any lot, the interest and principal, as far as may be neces- 
sary, to be expended for the proper maintenance thereof. 

Tliis last eonditioii is an express determination against any person building 
up a fund in trust by annual additions. 

The inside history of Lake View Cemetery would not l)e complete without 
giving the characteristics of the official. As an associate commissioner for 
tour years, I found him particularly dogmatical, self-willed, and self-sufficient. 
.\s my term of office had expired I determined to avoid further association with 
him. The last meeting of the commissioners which I attended was November 
-■4. 1.^85. 

h'ive years after the above date, viz., March i, 1890, as I was passing along 
the sidewalk opposite the Bank of Skaneateles, the official accosted me and asked 
me to come into the bank, after which he requested me to sign the annual report 
of the commission. In reply I refused, as I knew nothing about the report, when 
he said that he would especially like to have my name attached, and that 
.1 only need certify its correctness to the best of my knowledge and belief. I 
did not comprehend then his evil design, which design will fully appear hereafter. 
The following year, March 17, 1891, the official kept watch for me while passing 
the Bank of Skaneateles, and when I came along he again asked me to come 
mto the bank, to which I complied, and he made the same request, asking me to 
place my signature to the annual report of the commissioners, to which request 
T again refused. He said he particularly wanted my name on the report, and 
said that by doing so I assumed no responsibility, as 1 would only certify its 



HISTORY OF SKASEATELES. 431 

correctness tn the best of my knowledge and belief. I sijjncd my name Id it. 
Again I did not comprehentl his treacherous purpose. 

He was fully aware that I had not met with the commission since Novem- 
ber 24. 1885. His sneaking design was to make it appear to the public, by pub- 






C^M^' 



K^t^. 



/ _4 -^ . ty ' a ^ /C.' / 






I AL.sl.MlLI-: OK DiJCtJ.MKNr lll.sCUV KKK 1> IIV Till; AITIIOK—Sce pogc 4H 

lisliing mv name as a commissioner in the public newspa|K-rs. to indicate that 1 
iiad been a continual commissioner since 1885. 

Seven years after November 24, 1885, when I last acted as commissioner, 
had terminated, and during those seven years I had never acted as commissioner 
or attended a meeting, the official assumed to or<ler the village Trustees 
to dismiss E. N. Leslie. The imi)udence thus exhibited by liim in order- 



43-' HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

ing his own appointment as a cemetery commissioner, and of ordering E. X. Les- 
lie out, seven years after my term of five years had expired, indicates his char- 
acteristics. 

At the time this official was appointed as cemetery commissioner to supply the 
vacancy occasioned by the death of Joel Thayer, August 26, 1881, there was due 
to me for advances loaned the Rural Cemetery Association, which had been ex- 
pended in establishing the cemetery, $2,362.47, for which Lake \'iew Cemetery 
was responsible to me, and without which the present cemetery would never have 
been established against the determined opposition of the late C. Pardee. 

Among the archives in the village Trustees' room was discovered the interesting 
document shown on page 431, after my election as President of the village in the 
year 1895. In my opinion, it is in the handwriting of this official, which is now 
in my possession, and has so been ever since its discovery in 1895. 

The translation of this very interesting document is, that the tirst list of 
names (according to the official) were cemetery commissioners March i, 1892, 
"When the Annual Report of the Commissioners was handed in." The next 
sentence, "Kelley and Leslie out," was an order to the village Trustees, they 
having obeyed. The next list of names, two days after the first list had been 
named, was supposed to represent the action of the subservient board of trustees, 
who had obeyed this official by displacing E. N. Leslie. It will be of interest 
in this connection to name that subservient board of trustees, who were in office 
March 3, 1892, as follows: N. O. Shepard, President; Kelley, Stackus, Weston. 

Futurity will never know the inside history of the present cemetery unless 
the law is known which authorized the transfer of the Rural Cemetery Associa- 
tion and the old burial-ground, under the assumed name of the Evergreen Ceme- 
tery. Such Evergreen Cemetery never had an existence, as the late C. Pardee 
had never deeded his lands to the so-called trustees. The following is a copy of 
the law, which, in my opinion, was drawn by iVttorncy Barrow, he having been 
C. Pardee's attorney : 

Chapter 52, Laws of 1880. 

An Act to Perfect Title to Lands in "The Trustees of the Village of Skaneateles" 
FOR Cemetery Purposes. — Passed March 9, 1880. 

Section i. The respective trustees of " The Evergreen Cemetery Association of Skane- 
ateles " and " The Lake View Cemetery Association of Skaneateles " are hereby authorized 
and empowered to convey to any person or persons all the interests which said respective 
associations may have in the lands owned by them respectively, upon condition that the 
purchaser or purchasers thereof shall, within one month after the receipt of a deed thereof, 
convey the lands so purchased, whether of one or both of said associations, to " The Trus- 
tees of the Village of Skaneateles," for cemetery purposes for said village. 

Section 2. The said " The Trustees of the Village of Skaneateles " are hereby authorized 
and empowered to accept a conveyance of said lands of either or both of said associations 
from any person or persons purchasing the same, in pursuance of the first section of this 
act, for the use of said village for cemetery purposes, in all respects as if the same had been 



HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 433 

purchased by said village, as provided by Chapter Two Hundred and Nine of the Law» of 
1847, and the acts amending the same, and the said " The Trustees of the Village of Skanc- 
ateles " are hereby authorized and empowered to hold the said lands, with all the powers 
and privileges thereover conferred upon villages purchasing lands under this act and the 
acts amending the same, but subject to all the restrictions contained in said act and the 
acts supplementary thereto and amendatory thereof. 
Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately. 

L'lider the provisions of the above act, the Trustees of the Village of Skane- 
atelcs took no title to the lands of the "Evergreen Cemetery Association" from 
its trustees, as the lands of the late C. Pardee had never been conveyed to the 
"Evergreen Association." 

The Lake View Cemetery Association was competent, and did convey its 
Idnds (unfortunately) to "The Trustees of the Village of Skaneateles." An in- 
dependent corporation would have been better than any board of trustees, which 
would not have denied the people to build up a trust fund from year to year for 
the perpetual care of a lot in the cemetery. 

The late C. Pardee died April, 1878. two years before the passage of Chapter 
52 in 1880. The lands of the so-called Evergreen Cemetery Association were 
vested in C. Pardee at the time of his death, and not to the "Evergreen" trustees, 
who had no power to sell such lands "to any person or persons," and if such 
sale was made the Trustees of the village had no power to accept those lands, 
under the provisions of Chapter 52 of the Laws of 1880. 

While the ])cople of the village seemingly have no power to dislodge these 

iimissioners, or any one of them, it would seem that even the Legislature of 

State of New York is powerless to reduce their numbers, as will be seen by 

! apter 668 of the Laws of 1898, which is an amendment of Chapter i of the 

neral Laws, which provides as follows: "That in a village of the third class 

commissioner or commissioners last ai)pointed shall cease to be a commis- 

iior from and after the passage of this act, until the number be reduced to 
: o." The present five commissioners were appointed April 5, 1897, one year 
I'lfore the enactinent of Chapter 668 of the Laws of 1898. This amendnKiit be- 
came a law April 30, 1898. Neither the village Trustees nor the cemetery ii'in- 
missioners seemingly pay any attention to this law, and refuse to obey its man- 
date. 

The present cemetery commissioners coiitiiuie as such without having been 
appointed by the village Trustees each year, under the provisions of Sectinn 68 
of the village Law. 

The law which authorized "The Trustees of the N'illagc of Skaneateles" to 
accept a conveyance of the lands of the Rural Cemetery Association of I^nkc 
View for cemetery purposes, also bound stich village Trustees to assume all the 
debts or obligations of each cemetery association. One obligation was to redeem 
the certificates of indebtedness from one-half the sales of lots, which that asso- 
li.ntirin mid its siirccssors and assigns had plclL-cl to i).iv ilu- rc-rfifii-alpi; of in- 



34 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



debtedness, " from one-half the money received on the sales of lots of its cemetery 
lands to the repayment to the subscribers of the loans of money subscribed by 
them respectively, until the whole amount thereof, with interest, is paid." 

Before the advent of this official as a cemetery commissioner, and on March 
I, 1880, a memorandum was entered in the record of the Association of Lake 
View as follows: 

"The finances of the association were in an embarrassed condition, and there 
seemed to be no prospect of the certificates of indebtedness being liquidated ac- 
cording to their terms." 

That was the condition of the Rural Cemetery Association of Lake View, 
which could not carry out its pledges. 

"The Trustees of the Village of Skaneateles," having accepted the Rural 
Cemetery Association's lands as a gift, were bound to adopt and carry out all its 
obligations, which were principally its certificates of indebtedness issued by the 
association, and also moneys loaned to it, from one-half of the sales of its lands. 
Neither the Trustees of the village nor the cemetery commission which were the 
representatives of the Trustees, and acting as their deputies, have never paid, 
or ofifered to pay, a single certificate of indebtedness from the receipts of money 
from the sales of lands of the Rural Cemetery Association of Lake View. 

All but Thomas Y. Avery of the public-spirited citizens who subscribed to 
the loan of money to purchase the lands from Reuel Smith, Sr., selected lots in 
full payment of their certificates of indebtedness after it became known that those 
certificates could not be redeemed according to the terms of the loan, with the 
single exception of Thomas Y. Avery, who owned a lot in the cemetery, pur- 
chased previously. The opposition of the late C. Pardee was of such an intense 
nature to the establishment of an incorporated cemetery that sales of lots were 
prevented. In consequence the holders of the' certificates of indebtedness se- 
lected lots, which they did not desire, and had to dispose of them as best they 
could. There were sixteen who thus selected lots. Their names are: Joel 
Thayer, Thomas Morton, Forrest G. Weeks, Edward S. Hoyt, William S. 
Briggs, E. B. Hoyt, Anson Lapham (selected after his death), Elias Thorne, 
Richard Talcott, James A. Root, Julius Earll, H. L. Roosevelt, C. C. WyckofT. 
William Marvin, C. W. Allis, and Jacob H. Allen. The total amount subscribed 
by the above-named gentlemen was $2,000. for which lands were taken in pay- 
ment. 

The following was a communication addressed by the commissioners to the 
village Trustees, March i, 1892 (the same date that the official pretended to 
order the Trustees to order me out. at a time when I was not in, nor had been 
for the previous seven years) : 

To THE Board of Trustees of the Village of Sk.\neatelf.s : 

Gentlemen : We, the Commissioners of Lake View Cemetery, wishing to cancel an 
obligation long since made to persons advancing funds for the purchase of lands, now a 
part of said cemetery, and having funds sufficient for the purpose, ask your approval of 



mSTORV OF SKANEATELES. 435 

our paying off this indebtedness, and so bring the lots given for the security of said loan 
into our possession and control. 

The number of lots remaining of those taken as security as above are eight, and the 
"iim required to redeem them will be about $250 or $260. 

Wiu-s Clift, 
James A. Root, 
T. Kellev, 
Commissioners Lake View Cemetery. 

March 3, 1892. — The village Trustees passed the following resolution: 
Resolved, That the village purchase all lots, not exceeding eight, owned by individuals, 
at a price not to exceed fifteen cents per superficial foot, and that said Cemetery Commis- 
sioners be authorized to negotiate for the same, and pay therefor from the funds already 
appropriated. 

Carried : Kelley, Weston, Stackus, Trustees. 

N. O. SiiEPARD, President. 

The inside history of the preceding actii)n of botli the conitnissioncrs and tiic 
Trustees is as follows: 

There were three particularly personal friends of one of the commissioners, 
who were favored by the purchase of their lots, which were not pledged, as 
stated above, but were selected in full payment for their certificates of indebted- 
ness, the same as the other certificate holders who were not favored. 

-As has been stated hereinbefore, on ^^arch 10, 1880, there was due to me, for 
loans to pay for the lands and for laying out the lands, fencing, etc., $2,362.47, 
by the Rural Cemetery Association of Lake View, which has never been returned 
to me from one-half of the sales of its lands; which would Iiave been returned 
to me had not this association been given to the village Trustees, wlio appointed 
as the agents of the village cemetery commissioners, and had not this official 
been appointed as a cemetery commissioner. 

After the Rural Cemetery Association had been deeded to the village Trus- 
tees, they appointed Wills Clift superintendent of the village ceinctcry, and on 
March 28, 1880, they gave him an order on the village Treasurer for fifty dollars 
for cemetery purposes, and, having previously collected a tax for cemetery pur- 
l)oses from the village taxpayers, they on June 25. 1880, gave Wills Clift an or- 
der on the village Treasurer for seventy-seven dollars and fifty-one cents for 
cemetery purposes. 

The Trustees on .April 19, 1880, appointed Wills Clift and W. B. I^wlon 
n temporary committee in cemetery matters until commissioners could be ap- 
pointed. Wills Clift was not appointed as treasurer by the village Trustees at 
any time. Neither was ^fr. Clift appointed treasurer by the cemetery commis- 
sioners while I was a member, from the first appointment of commissioners until 
November 24, 1885, which was the last time I attended a meeting with thetn. 
-\ftf>r tli-it ,lr.t.- probably, the official had Wills Clift appointed treasurer I 



436 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

had been treasurer and secretary of the Rural Cemetery Association until the vil- 
lage Trustees appointed commissioners, and thereafter until November 24. 1885, 
I kept all the records of the meetings of the Trustees of the Association of Lake 
View and of the Cemetery Commissioners until the date I last attended a meeting 
of them, November 24, 1885. Wills Clift had not up to that date been treasurer. 

Seven years after 1885 was the first recorded meeting of the present five com- 
missioners, as entered on the record of their proceedings, and it is a singular fact 
tliat no record of the sales of lots or the proceedings of the commissioners has 
been kept and recorded. A seven years' vacancy of cemetery receipts, cemetery 
meetings, cemetery expenditures. It was during these seven years that the official, 
Clift, Kelley, and Root were commissioners, who kept no record of proceedings 
until Alarch i, 1892. Although my name was advertised as a commissioner in 
1890 and 1 89 1, I was not there, but these are the two years that the official 
watched for me on the sidewalk, and insidiously asked me to sign the annual re- 
port, which I did to accommodate him, as he particularly wanted my name signed 
to the reports of 1890 and 1891. 

The present commissioners have no record of the commission, except the first 
one on their record book under date of March i, 1892. This is the date which 
this official selected, after persuading me to sign two annual reports of commis- 
sioners, in order to make it appear that I had been a continual commissioner since 
November 24, 1885, the date that I declined associating with him as a commis- 
sioner, and never personally attended another meeting of commissioners. 

After I had expended my time and thousands of dollars to establish the Rural 
Cemetery Association of Lake View, after all opposition to the formation of an 
incorporated cemetery had passed, the following manifesto was published in the 
Free Press, March 5, 1892. which, in my opinion, was written by the official : the 
words italicized are so nKule prominent by myself in order that T may explain 
their meaning as I understand them : 

Lake View Cemetery Retort. 

The yearly report for 1891 of the Lake View Cemetery Association is very flattering to 
the management of the Board of Cemetery Commissioners. It is very pleasant, at a time 
when so many institutions and associations are not only running behind in financial re- 
sources, but are being robbed by defaulting treasurers and trusted officers, that we have an 
organization among us that is such a credit to the community. And the efforts of the com- 
missioners to keep up and beautify our resting-place for the dead deserve the thanks of all 
interested, and we know that their work is duly appreciated by the whole community, for 
every one points with pride to this beautiful spot. The work of recording all burials ever 
made in the grounds is going on, and the public is asked to help all it can by giving Sexton 
Marshall a memorandum of all burials they may have any knowledge of. Especially is as- 
sistance asked of those who arc remaining of the older inhaliitants. 

The unusual style of type in which the above was printed indicates that it 
was not editorial. Tn my opinion, the italicized words above indicated express 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 437 

an accusation by the otticial that I, as treasurer, and as a trusted officer, had 
been robbing the association by charging myself with money " offsets " on ac- 
count of the ■■ floating debt." No intelligent person can read that boastful mani- 
festo, written and published, in my opinion, by the official, without understanding 
iiis evident purpose to injure my character. Previously there had never been 
reported any Rural Cemetery Association, which had been robln-d by a defaulting 
treasurer or by a trusted officer. 

The official was very cunning in inducing me to sign my name to reports of 
ihe cemetery commissioners, two reports, for 1890 and i8yi, which 1 had never 
attended, and he knew it. He was e.xceedingly desirous of having my name to 
them, and then to have my name published as a commissioner. It should be par- 
ticularly noticed that, after all the adverse experiences 1 encountered in establish- 
ing the present cemetery, and the money I loaned to the Rural Association, the 
present cemetery commissioners came into full possession of a complete ceme- 
tery, when all opposition had ceased, without having contributed a single dollar 
toward the great expenses attending its final establishment, and by a series of 
conflicting laws, which conferred upon them very limited powers, they assumed 
life tenor of holding office and life tenor of holding the cemetery lands. No re- 
newal of appointment as commissioners has been made since the original appoint- 
ment by the village Trustees, April 26. 1880, except, perhaps, when the official, 
by written order, required the Trustees to order E. N. Leslie out, who was not 
at that date a commissioner, and had not been such during the previous seven 
years. 

The Trustees of the Village of Skaneateles are required by law to appoint 
annually one cemetery commissioner for the term of three years, which they do 
not obey ; and they are responsible for such commissioners' arbitrary denial of 
the inalienable right of every adult inhabitant of the village to deposit any sum 
of money in trust according to the terms of the gift, as per Chapter 139 of the 
Laws of 1881. 

It has been indispensable in this inside history to individualize one cemetery 
commissioner as an official who has made himself prominent in an endeavor to 
disgrace my character by an intimation that I had been dishonest as a trusted 
oflicial. This individualization would not have occurred had it not l>een that he 
carelessly left in his own handwriting, in my opinion, an apparent wrder directing 
the village Trustees to discharge ine from an office which 1 did not hold at the 
time; but such order indicated a treacherous intent to inflict a disgrace. .Self- 
rispect has been a necessity to individualize him as an oflficial. 

.^s a counterpart of the handwriting engraving illustrated on i>age 431. the 
following statement is relevant: The official employs an attorney, who is a 
resident of Skaneateles. This attorney prosecuted an action for lil)el against me 
in the Supreme Court at .'^yracuse, March j8. 1898. which terminated to the 
discomfiture of the altornev. .\fter the trial had ended, ami while the court-r<M)m 



43S HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

was filled with people, the attorney arose, and in a loud voice proclaimed in a 
vindictive manner, " That lie [meaning myself] had been kicked out of the ceme- 
tery commission, zvhich I can prove." The inference is, in my opinion, that the 
proof in all probability would be obtained from the author of the handwriting 
illustrated on page 431. 

Explanatory. — Why the word " official " has been made prominent in a por- 
tion of this chapter, the whole text of which has been originally written and put 
into type, which included the following paragraph (page 427) : 

" One of the five cemetery commissioners was particularly active as a public 
functionary in the further details of this inside history. It has, therefore, become 
necessary to indicate him by name in criticizing his acts as such commissioner. 
It was only after his appointment that opportunities ceased to offset the moneys 
loaned the rural Cemetery Association." 

After thus having had the text set up in type, the author, on reflection, con- 
sidered the impropriety of printing his individual name while criticizing his 
actions as a cemetery commissioner, especially in a work of this character. There- 
fore the word " official " has been interposed in place of his personal name in 
the text, and every paragraph having any personal allusion which might identify 
his individuality in any manner has been omitted. 

History of Alfred Champ. — The old colored man who is now employed by 
the Trustees of the village to work on the public streets bears the name of Alfred 
Champ. The following statement was made to the author by Champ, shortly 
after he first came from Washington City to this village: 

" I was born and brought up near Winchester, Va. I was a slave. My 
master's name was John Carr. He was a farmer, and raised wheat and corn. 
As soon as the war broke out, there was a draft by the rebels for men and teams. 
My master did not go to the war, but he had a son who went, and he was killed 
during the war. My master ordered me to drive a team of four horses to the 
battle-ground of the first Bull Run. That was about August i, 1861. I remained 
there, and was kept constantly at work by the rebels until Christmas, the same 
year. I then went back to my master. I ran away from my master the following 
April, and reached the Union Army. I was called ' Contraband,' and was around 
with the Union Army at Fairfax Court House, and also around Washington and 
various other places. I worked in the forage department and as a soldier, and I 
drilled about six months before going into the field. I was in the attack of Fort 
Lincoln, between Alexandria and Washington. I was at the second battle of Bull 
Rim. I was at Alexandria, in the Quartermaster's Department, and did all kinds 
of servant work, waiting on the officers, and handling the Quartermaster's stores 
which were to be sent to the front. I had to work day and night. Every other 
Friday we had to go to the Italian drill." I said, " You do not mean Italian 
drill? '^ " Yes," he insisted, " it was the real Italian." I said, " But there were 
no Italians in this country at that time." Still he insisted that it was the Italian 
drill. I then suggested whether it was not a battalion drill? He immediately 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 4.59 

said, "Yes, that's it: the bat talion drill — bat talion, that was it!" He further 
said : " I was under General Lee and General Whiting. They both belonged to 
Pennsylvania, and I ■j;(A my honorable discharge from them, but this discharge 
has been lost since. Fred Lawton brought me and Sampson to this village. 
Charles Reeves Sampsim and Crutcher came before I did. That is why we came 
to Skaneateles." 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

The Author's Adventures with the Legal Fraternity. 

Commencing with the Highest Authority in the State, the Attorney-General. 

The author, while holding the office of President of the village of Skaneateles, 
in the year 1895, and while advocating the interests of his constituents, made 
application to the Attorney-General of the State of New York for leave to com- 
mence an action to test the title to office of the cemetery commissioners of the 
village of Skaneateles, N. Y. 

That application was fully detailed in a sworn statement, consisting of 
fourteen hundred and eighty folios. Without great detail, the following quota- 
tion from the prelude to the decision of the Attorney-General respecting the said 
application is here given : 

" It appears from the papers presented for my consideration on the above appHcation, 
that the cemetery commissioners of the village of Skaneateles, N. Y., were originally 
appointed in the year 1880, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 696, Laws of 1871, after 
said village had acquired lands to be devoted to the purpose of a public cemetery; that their 
successors were appointed on the 15th day of May, 1885, and that the present board of 
cemetery commissioners were appointed on the 31st day of March, 1892. 

■• It is contended on the part of the applicant that the office of cemetery commissioners 
of the village of Skaneateles expired in the year 1885, five years after the date of the 
original appointment. 

■' The contention is based upon the terms of said Chapter 696, Laws of 1871, and upon 
the language of tliat statute, therefore, must depend the granting of {or) the denial of this 
application. 

" Section i of Chapter 696, Laws of 1871, reads as follows: 

" • The trustees of any village are hereby authorized to appoint a cemetery commission 
of not less than five nor more than nine resident freeholders of said village, who sliall 
during their terms of office, have exclusive control and management of tlie laying out, 
beautifying and improving any lands which may be purcliased by said trustees, as provided 
by section one of the act hereby amended. 

" ' The members of such commission shall hold their oflicc for five years, from and 
after their appointment, and when vacancies occur in such commission, the same shall be 
filled by said trustees from the resident freeholders of said village. .Ml moneys appropriated 
by said trustees for the improvement of such lands shall be placed in the hands of such 
commission, to be expended by them in such laying out, beautifying and improving; and 
said commission shall, on the ist day of March, in each year during their term of oMcc, 
make a report, by items, of their expenditures, and stating the objects thereof, to said 
trustees, which report shall be in writing, signed by a majority of the members of such 
commission, and verified by their o;iths.' " 

The above quotation is copied froin " The .Annual Report of the .\ttorney- 
General of the Statv of Xew Wtvk lo the Legislature of the State, for the year 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 44 • 

1896," page 322, with the exception of the word '" or " enclcscd in parentheses 
in the third paragrapli. The itahcizcd portions are hy the aiitlior, ilesigncd fi>r 
fnture comment. 

The first sentence itahcized was, " to be dci'oted to tin- {<ur{<ost' of a public 
cemetery." The Attorney-General had been informed in the sworn application 
received by him that the said lands had been for many years laid out, beautified, 
and improved, and had been devoted to the purix)se of a public cemetery. 

The next was an italicized word, " board." The said cemetery conimissioncrs 
had never been appointed as a board, and in law was not a board. They were 
not appointed or constituted as a board, or compact Inidy. They were subordinate 
representatives of the Trustees of the village of Skaneatcles, directed to do a 
certain defined duty during a limited time. 

The third sentence italicized was in the following paragraph: "The con- 
iiion is based upon the terms of said Chapter (x;0. Laws of iSji, and 

H the language of that statute." Yes, that is the most important subject of 

- comment in coimection with the next italicized sentence, namely, "during 
their terms of office." The word " terms " in this sentence is not to be found 
in the language of that statute, pluralized, as it is. The language of the statute 

ids, "during their term of office." 

rile author having written thus far, and anticipating a very lengthy dis- 

-ion of this subject, which would consume much time and patience, besides 

nuK-li space in this volume, has, after due consideration, now concluded to com- 

iiKiice anew and write in the first person, without, however, annulling what has 

been written heretofore, and which is fully endorsed. 

Continuing, I shall now copy the opinion of the Attorney-General given as 

a decision on this application. Such sentences as I intend to comment upon will 

by me be italicized. The opinion now to be quoted is copied from " The Annual 

Report of the Attorney-General," first addressed to the Lieutenant-Governor of 

I State, with a request that he will refer the same to the Legislature. This 

- the report for the year 1896, with one exception, and that was the word 
r " enclosed in parentheses in the third paragraph : 

.\ portion of the prelude has heretofore been written in this chapter, after the 
third paragraph of which is the following continuation of the opinion: 

" Section i of Chapter 696, Laws of 1871, reads as follows: 

" ' The trustees of any village are hereby authorized to apjinini a cemetery commission 
of not less than five nor more than nine resident freeholders <>f said villaRe, who shall, 
during their lertiis of office, Iiotc exclusive control and manuKcmt-nt of the laying out. 
beautifying and improving of anv lands which may lie purchased hy said trustees, as pro- 
vided by section one of the act hereby amended. 

■' ' The members of such conuiiission shall hold their office for fixe years from and after 

their apf ointment, and when vacancies occur in such commission, llw same shall be filled hy 

■ul trustees from the resident freeholders of said vdlage. .Ml moneys appropriated by 

I trustees for the improvement of such lands shall be placed in the hand^ of said cxm- 
>^ion, to be expended by them in such laying out, l)eautifying and improving: and said 



442 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

commission shall, on the ist day of March, in each year during their term of office, make a 
report, by items, of their expenditures, and stating the objects thereof, to said trustees, 
which report shall be in writing, signed by a majority of the members of such commission, 
and verified by their oaths." 

The above is a portion of the Attorney-General's prelude to his opinion. 
Another portion was the third paragraph of this chapter, commencing with the 
sentence, " It appears from the papers," etc. This prelude was not his opinion, 
which is to follow hereafter. 

When I approached the highest law officer of the State of New York with a 
sworn application, containing 148,000 words ( 1,480 folios), which was intended to 
and did meet every possible argument that could be raised in opposition to grant- 
ing the prayer asked for, I was a novice, and therefore approached the leading law 
representative of the State unth awe, believing him to be the authorised repre- 
sentative of true Justice. 

His Opinion. 

" I am of the opinion that this language [referring to the prelude above quoted] creates 
a continuing office. (l) An office having been created, must be presumed to be continuing 
unless limited by the terms of the act or by the nature of the duties to be performed. (2) 
I find nothing in the language of the statute under consideration which limits the duration 
of the office to the term of five years. 

'■ In my judgment the language is applicable merely to the term of office of an in- 
cumbent, and not to the duration of the office. I am the more impelled to this opinion from 
the portion of the section which reads as follows : ' When vacancies occur in such com- 
mission the same shall be filled by said trustees from the resident freeholders of said 
village.' The word ' vacancy ' in this clause includes one arising from the expiration of 
the term of office as well as one from any other cause. (3) Moreover, there is nothing 
temporary in the duties to be performed by said commission. (4) The beautifying, the 
laying out and the improving of lands devoted to cemetery purposes are by no means tem- 
porary employments. Rather are they continuous in their nature. 

" I am, therefore, of the opinion that the present incumbents of the office of cemetery 
commissioners of the village of Skaneateles, N. Y., were lawfully appointed, and may 
properly perform their duties as such. 

" The application must therefore be denied. 

T. E. Hancociv, 

Attorney-General." 

This pretended official opinion was immediately forwarded to the opposing 
attorney, who immediately had it published in the Skaneateles Democrat, a local 
newspaper, under the title: "Cemetery Commissioners All Right. The At- 
torney-General denies the Application of E. Norman Leslie." 

This was the first knowledge that I had that a decision had apparently been 
made. On reading it over carefully, I immediately discovered a misquotation 
of Section i of Chapter 696, Laws of 1871, which it did not seem possible that 
the Attorney-General could have made. Without making my discovery public, 
I immediately requested a friend resident in Albany to procure for me the Annual 
Report of the Attorney-General to the Legislature for the year 1896. The mis- 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 443 

quotation named appeared to me to have been an invention of the opposing 
attorney, as my previous experience with him proved that he was an inventive 
genius. 

In due course I received the Annual Report of the Attorney-General for the 
year i8f)6. and owing to the insignificant character of the apphcation I found it 
difficult to reach it in the book. When 1 really did discover it, 1 was ver>' much 
surprised to see, on page 322, that the Attorney-General himself had made the 
misquotation! It was this misquotation on which he apparently hinged his 
adverse decision, in my opinion. That such a prominent official of the State of 
New York should allow such an important public document to leave his office for 
publication is most extraordinary, especially as he had many deputies, who ought to 
have carefully examined this important paper before it left the office. Under 
the circumstances, I considered that he had abused his discretionary power. I, 
therefore, wrote him a letter, stating that in my opinion he had favored the 
opposing attorney. I did not keep a copy of this letter, therefore I can not state 
exactly what I wrote. However, in reply I received a letter from one of his 
deputies, in which the following allusion was made : 

" I desire to further state that the determination of the Attorney-General in this 
matter was not made to please any individual, but it was according to his judgment 01 the 
law in the premises. Very truly yours, 

Frank A. Parsons, 
[Dated March 16, 1806.] Deputy Attorney-General." 

I judge from the above letter that it referred to another subject — that I had 
complained of the fact that the opinion had been immediately forwarded to the 
opposing attorney, and that I had not been favored with even a copy, while, in 
my opinion, I ought to have been first favored, instead of being neglected 
entirely. 

The main portion of the above letter endeavored to explain ti/iy the opinion 
was not sent to me, as follows: 

" Your letter relating to the application made by you for leave to brinu an action against 
the cemetery commissioners of Skancatclcs. etc., was mislaid until now. and I hasten to reply 
by inclosing you a copy of the opinion in the matter written by the Attorney-General, which 
I supposed had been forwarded to Mr. Barrows, as it appears by our records that a copy 
w.is sent him." 

The said opinion which I received from the Deputy Attorney-General accom- 
panying the above-named letter is a curiosity in many ways. Primarily, it was 
nit an official copy, as it had not the autograph of the Attorney-General attached, 
- was the opinion forwarded to the oppr>site attorney. It was a carlK)n copy 
liy. Having hereinbefore copied the prelude (or introduction), and the official 
pinion, copied from his printed report to the Legislature, it is not ncces.sary to 
I. peat the copy in carhon. Hut it differs in a few respects, which I will now 
iltscribc. 



444 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Ill Ihe copy of the opinion wliicli was forwarded to the opposing attorney, 
and which had the autograph signature of the Attorney-General, the misquota- 
tion was included in his copy of Section i of Chapter 696, Laws of 1871, and 
was italicized. It was the word " terms." Singularly, in the unofificial carbon 
copy that word appears as " term," which was the correct reading of the statute. 
The word " terms " was used by the Attorney-General in his opinion. 

" I am of the opinion that this language creates a continuing office." 

That is, he meant the word " terms." 

The next sentence in the carbon copy was quoted as follows: 

'■ An office having been created must be presumed to be continuing, unless limited by 
the terms of the act or by the nature of the duties to be performed." 
People vs. Addison, 10 Cal., 1-7. 

This reference to 10 Cal. was not included in the opinion sent to the opposing 
attorney which was printed in the village newspaper. Neither were the quotation- 
marks included! 

I looked up that California case, which was another curiosity. It reached back 
to the period when the vigilance committee in San Francisco were hanging 
people in the streets, and Kearney and his gang of rowdies had possession of the 
Sand-lots ! 

The Legislature, May 3, 1852, passed an act entitled " An Act to provide for 
the Appointment of a Ganger for the Port of San Francisco." By the first 
section of this act, " The Governor is authorized and directed to appoint, by and 
with the advice of the Senate, a ganger of wines and liquors to reside in the city 
of San Francisco, and to continue in office for two years." 

This act does not include the word term of two years, so that the definition 
of the word term was not necessary to determine the precise signification of, as 
it is in this case. 

The power by the Governor, to a])i)oint a successor, under the above act of 
the Legislature, was disputed, and it was lirought before the court. The opinion 
of the court was as follows : 

"The office having been created, must be presumed to be continuing unless limited by 
the terms of the act, or I)y the nature of the duties to be performed." 

This i)aragraph was in the carbon C(ii)y quoted as I have copied it. from the 
carbon. I now continue the opinion of the court : 

■' There is nothing temporary in the duties of the office, nor is there anything in the lan- 
guage of the act limiting the duration of the office." 

" The period of two years mentioned in the last section, limits only the term of the 
officer and not the duration of the office." 

These two paragraphs, which are not (|noted in the carbon copy, appear nearly 
as they are in the opinion of the .\iti)nu\ -( ieiieral, almost word for word. 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 445 

111 the opinion of the Attorney-General was the following: 

■ hi my judgment, that lanf^iage is applicable merely to the term of office of an incum- 
bent, and not to the duration of the office. I am the more impelled to this opinion fronj the 
portion of the section which read> as follows: "When vacancies occur in such commission 
the same shall be filled by said trustees from the resident freeholders of said village.' The 
word ' vacancy ' in this clause includes one arising from the expiration of the term of office 
as well as one arising from any other cause." 

Just here I xvant to turn over a nczc leaf temporarily, as I desire to comment 
upon and also criticize the arguments of the opposing attorney (.f) — thereby 
meaning the Attorney-General. 

I find that I am criticizing the highest " Public Functionary " in the State 
■ f Xew York, without giving hiin my authority to do so. 

After receiving his opinion in the case under consideration in this chapter, 
I desired to criticize him publicly, but. being a layman. I did not know exactly 
how far I could go, so I interviewed the biggest, the most learned, and the eldest 
lawyer in the village of Skaneateles. I explained to him my intention to criticize 
the Attorney-General of the State of New York. He immediately warned mt- not 
■ lo so, and stated his reasons, which were prolific, and which arc not necessary 
reproduce here. Suffice it to say that they covered my inquiry. 
Even with the depressing warning and advice received from the learned 
professional of Skaneateles, I determined to ascertain, if possible, from the 
opinions of the most learned Judges of the Court of Appeals nf the State of 
New York, the power and authority of a common layman to criticize a public 
officer who, in my opinion, had exercised his authority against the interests of 
the people. I, therefore examined the New York Reports (Court nf Appeals), 
and, without enumerating my determined efforts to discover exactly what I 
desired, / found it, in 8i N. Y., pp. 1 16-126. The head-notes gave but little 
prospect of what was desired, so 1 turned tn the opinion of the court, on page 126. 
// covered the ■ivhole ground. 

I was so much interested in my discovery that I immediately wrote a private 

UT to the editor of a daily Syracuse newspaper, saying to him that here was a 

liject which was of interest to ever}- editor in the State of New York. 

He apparently was so pleased with the important discovery that he publishefl 

my private note as a communication, and added thereto the opinion of the court. 

It then became common property with all his exchanges, and was very thor- 

.hly published in nearly or quite all the newspapers in the State. Some person 

known to me sent a Pinghamton journal, in which was the following marked 

inicle: 

" Legal Right to Criticize. 

" [From the Buffalo Courier-Record.) 

" E. Norman Leslie, in a recent communication to the Syracuse Courier, has performed 

a public service by furnishing for publication an opinion of the laic Chief Judge Folgcr. of 

the Court of Appeals, with reference to the right of newspaper criticism. In these days 



446 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

when so many people are holding up their hands with horror at the idea of an editor pre- 
suming even to question the finding of a court, the following extract from an opinion of one 
of the ablest jurists New York State ever produced is timely and pertinent: 

'■ ' We are of the opinion that the official act of a Public Functionary may be freely 
criticized, with entire freedom of expression, used in argument, sarcasm and ridicule upon 
the act itself: and that then the occasion will excuse everything but actual malice and evil 
purpose of the critic. 8i N. Y. ii6, per Folger, J.' 

" The Judge of any court is certainly a public functionary." — Ed. 



And I may say here that the Attorney-General of the State of New York is a 
pubHc functionary. 

This opinion of Justice Folger has, ever since its publication, been freely used 
by attorneys whenever there was occasion. 

In my own criticisms of this act heretofore, and will be subsequently, I have 
not been actuated by actual malice or evil purpose. 

It is my impression that I never met the Attorney-General personally but once, 
on which occasion I studied his physiognomy to ascertain if possible his predomi- 
nant idea in the determination of the application presented for his consideration. 
The contour of his face indicated a kindly nature, which, together with the limited 
conversation we had, gave me courage to believe that he was a synonym of the 
emblem of Justice, which in my mind's eye appeared as a female figure, standing 
with scales in her hand evenly balanced. Under all these conditions, I felt that 
justice would prevail as a result of my application. 

Now, to commence at the page on which is the title of this chapter, in which 
italicized sentences are printed with the object of commenting on the sentences 
thus made prominent. These sentences are indicated by letters of the alphabet 
in parentheses. 

(A) " To be devoted to the purpose of a public Cemetery." 

This sentence is not to be found in Chapter 696, Laws of 1871. It was sur- 
plusage, not relevant to the case, except to indicate that the emblem of Justice 
holding the scales had become unbalanced. The Attorney-General had been 
apprised by the applicant's sworn statement that the lands had for many years 
previously been devoted to the purpose of a public cemetery, and firmly estab- 
lished. 

The next sentence, not italicized, is, " that their successors were appointed." 
Chapter 696, Laws of 1871, does not provide for the appointment of successors, 
therefore that sentence now quoted is surplusage, indicating unbalanced scales. 

(B) The word "board" does not apply to the cemetery comtnissioners, as 
that term is not to be found in the statute. The commissioners were not ap- 
pointed as a board, but as individuals. 

The words " contended " and " The eontention " in the following paragraphs 
succeeding (.B) are not proper words to be used by a just judge, who favors 
neither side to a controversy. 

In the first paragraph, the sentence, " It is contended on the part of the 



HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 447 

.lii.uw.iiL. i..LiMi have been more justly expressed by writing, "It is claimed 
by the applicant." 

In tlie following paragraph, the words " The contention " would have been 
1 tetter expressed by the words " The claim." 

These words. " contended " and " contention," in this connection, do not 
indicate equitable treatment, as would naturally be expected from the AttornL-y- 
General of the State of New York. 

(C) "And upon the language of that statute." Exactly, that is the claim 
1 make, and is the most important subject under consideration. No just judge 
can read that statute undcrstandingly without reaching the conclusion that the 
commission were appointed for only five years. The following sentence is quoted 
from Section i of Chapter 696, Laws of 1871 : 

" The members of such commission shall Iwld their ofHce for five years from and after 
their appointment, and when vacancies occur in such commission, the same shall be filled by 
said trustees from the resident freeholders of said village." 

In this same section it is stated that said commissiuners " shall, during their 
term of office." 

From the above language no other meaning can be intelligently understood 
than that five years was their full term of office. No layman can read the portion 
of the above paragraph which reads, " shall hold their office for five years from 
and after their appointtnciit." without deciding in his own mind that five years 
was to be the extreme limit of the appointment. IVhy the w ords " from and after," 
if they were not intended as a limit? 

Again, another sentence from the same paragraph : " and when vacancies 
occur in such commission." . . . 

"Stop — Stop — Stop — Stop — Stop — Stop — Stop — Stop!" Thus ejaculated 
a friend at my elbow, further saying: "Don't you know that you are butting 
your head against a ' Big ' stone wall ? And that stone wall is the ' Big ' Attorney- 
General of the ' Big State of New York,' which can not be smashed by your 
inferior cranium? This Attorney-General is a Lawyer, always a class to be 
feared by any layman seeking common justice! \\>u apparently don't know that 
he can not be beaten, under any conditions! He is not, as you have supposed, an 
Emblem of Justice holding evenly balanced scales ! The ' Big ' laws of the ' Big ' 
State of New York confer upon his particular self (and no other magnate) 
Discretionary Power, and that particular description of power is illustrated by 
the term, ' unrestrained exercise of his own will ! ' from whicii you have no right 
of appeal! He evidently disposed of your application, in his own niiixl, imme- 
diately upon its presentation. To lie sure, you had discovered in his nfficial 
printed report to the Legislature of the State of New York in 1896 that he had 
misquoted a very important part of the statute, 'and evidently from that mis- 
quotation, in your opinion, had made his decision by refusing this applicatinn. 
\?aiii, he bad adopted the official opinion of the California court (which in his 



448 HISTORY OF SKAXEATELES. 

opinion he had quotedj — had adopted this as his own opinion, as his own, without 
(juotation-marks. In either case, it did not matter. Having unrestrained dis- 
cretionary power, he could do anything that suited his purpose, could misquote 
any other statute, and could adopt any other person's opinion as his ow-n. Such 
was his ' discretionary ' unrestrained privilege, given him by a law of the State 
of New York. You evidently thought that, by repeating these innovations upon 
common decency, when you intended to publicly criticize his adverse determina- 
tion of your application, he might relent and reconsider his refusal to allow you 
to commence an action. Y'our own attorney ought to have known of the trap 
he was leading you into, but it would seem that he, too, was quite as ignorant 
as was his client. You only intended to criticize the act of the Attorney-General, 
and to keep entirely within the authority given in the published opinion of 
Folgcr, }., and that you neither had actual malice nor evil purpose as a critic." 



Laivycrs. 

" ' Woe unto you al>o, ye lawyers ! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, 
and ye yourselves touch nut the burdens with one of your fingers. 

" ' Woe unto you. lawyers 1 for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not 
in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered." — St. Luke -\i. 46 and 52. 

" In mousing over Mary Cowden Clarke's Concordance of Shakespeare, 1 find 
the man who so successfully ran the Wieting Opera House had small use for 
attorneys. He refers to lawyers just eleven times, and seems to hold that to take 
a tainted plea and season it with gracious speech so as to obscure the show of 
evil ; to set decrees at naught ; pluck down justice ; trip the course of law, and 
liiunt the sword that guards the peace and person — these things are the work and 
occupation of lawyers. 

" To put it more briefly, Shakespeare regards a lawyer as otie whose business 
it is to show people how to evade the law. 

" The only lawyer that Shakespeare speaks well of is Portia. And then, as 
if to take it all back, he allows this woman attorney to deal in subterfuge, evasion, 
and quillets that are pure quibble. Shylock is the peer, in point of dignity and 
worth, of anybody in the court-room. The gang that got him in tow robbed 
him of every ducat that he possessed, and kicked him penniless into the street. 
They liorrowed money from him, and then found an excuse for not paying it. 
Not only did they fail to return Shylock the money they had borrowed, ])ut 
they resurrected a blue law for the occasion and confiscated all his property, 
giving half to the man who was owing him and half to the state. The original 
loan was for the benefit of Bassanio, so that he could marry Portia. This fact, 
one might imagine, would have touched the woman's heart; liut no — she wanted 
all the money Shylock had, and how much of tlie final swag went to i'ortia 
Shakespeare does not say — he lets us imagine." 



HI STORY OF SK.iNEATELES. 



Another .Idvcniure ivilh a Different Variety of the Legal Fraternity — The 
Official Stenographer of a Court of Record. 

Chapter XW'III. of this volume elaborates my experience with the legal 
fraternity and their witnesses in their prosecution of two libel suits against me 
in the Supreme Court at Syracuse, in the year 1898. One of these libelants 
claimed as damages ten thousand dollars. The jury awarded him six cents. 
The other libelant claimed damages of five thousand dollars. The jury decided, 
" No cause of action." 

After the termination of these trials, the stenographer was requested to 
furnish me his minutes uf both suits, under Section 84 of the Code of Civil 
Procedure, namely : 

" Duties of Court Stenographers." 

Section 84, Code: "The original stenographic notes, taken by a stenographer, art- 
part of the froccedings of the Court, and unless they are filed, pursuant to an order, 
made as prescribed in the last section, they must be carefully preserved by the stenographer 
for two years, after the trial or hearing: at the expiration of which time he may destroy 
them." 

■' Section 86. Each stenographer, specified in this act, must likewise upon request. 
furnish, luith all reasonable diligence, to the defendant, to a party, or his attorney in a civil 
cause, in which he has attended the trial or hearing, a copy, written out at length, from the 
stenographic notes, of the testimony and proceedings, or a part thereof, upon the trial 
or hearing, upon payment, by the person requiring the same, of the fees allowed by 
law." 

After a request was duly made, this court stenographer replied that " such 
notes would not be furnished, 'without an order by the Court." This was a bluff! 
Thus, as an officer of a court of record, he disgraced his office. Continuous 
requests for his notes were made during a whole year, without effect. Finally, 
the stenographer furnished the notes of the inferior libelant, where the jury 
decided, " No cause of action " ; but as to the six-cent libelant, the stenographer 
refused the request continually, and never has done his duty under Section 86. 

As an excuse for not furnishing a copy of his stenographic minutes, he sent 
ine through the post-office the following: 



[copy.] 

SvRAcuse, May 34, 1899. 
\0RMAN Leslie, Esq, 
I^car Sir: 

I have to-day expressed to your address transcript Benedict vs. Leslie, and I 
enclose bill for same. Regarding the case of Shcpard vj. Leslie, I have been unable to find 
my minutes. About the time that case was originally ordered (March .^o. i8g8) the 
c.irpenters and masons were here for a period of ^r-v^- •>'<•'•'• i..-^l< . .m,..;, .l,...rc .l,t..,..,l, 



450 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

partitions, plastering, decorating, etc. Some of my minutes at that time were knocked 
off my desk on the floor and swept up and carried away. This case must have been so 
disposed of. 

I have an index of each case reported since 1877, and the case of Shepard vs. Leslie 
is not indexed. I have examined thoroughly the files of my cases since the time of the 
trial of that case down to the present, and it is not on file. I have examined in every 
place where it would be at all likely to be. 

If there is any desire on your part that I should do so, I will make an affidavit 
embodying the above facts, supported by the affidavit of my associates in the office. 

Yours very truly, 
(Signed) * * * * * * 

The name of the stenographer is omitted for the reason that I have no unkind 
feelings against him. He was evidently influenced. 

It will be noticed from the above communication that the request for his 
minutes was made March 30, 1898, whereas the date of this communication is 
Alay 24, 1899, one year and three months after the request was made for a copy 
of his minutes. In the mean time, no explanation was made respecting his loss 
of them when the masons and carpenters were at work in his office. 

Under the conditions above recited, it can not be said that the stenographic 
minutes were carefully preserved, under the requirement of Section 84, "' they 
must be carefully preserved by the stenographer for two years, after the trial 
or hearing," by leaving the records of the court lying around on a desk, then 
going out, when laborers were at work, and claiming that under such circum- 
stances the minutes were lost. 

The Skaneateles attorney and the libelant seem to have had a great influence 
over the stenographer to induce him to use all kinds of subterfuges to evade 
doing his duty. No doubt, the Skaneateles attorney did not want the stenog- 
rapher to note his proclamation, before a crowded court-room, that " I had been 
kicked out of the cemetery commission," etc. That was a dangerous libel, and 
he did not want the official testimony by the stenographer. 



HISTORY OF SK.-IXE.ITELIIS. 



CONCLUSION. 



" Gentle Reader : These sketches and reminiscences have been prolonged to 
an unwarrantable length. Imperfect from the nature of the various subjects, we 
know them to be. Correctness and truth have been aimed at throughout every 
part: if these have been departed from, it arises from false information, not fmni 
a desire to mislead, or underrate, or overdraw. If they have been the means of 
affording you the slightest gratification, the object of the author is accomplished. 
One hundred and eight years have rolled around since the first permanent while 
settlement was made within the borders of this town ; one hundred and eight 
years have added their periods to the flight of time since the ax of civilization 
has been successfully applied to the tree of barbarism in this land; one hundred 
and eight years have gone by, and the face of things is entirely changed. What 
unlooked for events in the great wheel of human life shall rise before another one 
hundred and eight years shall succeed, it would be in vain for us to inquire. But 
when that remote period shall come, not one of us, not one of our children now 
on earth, shall be found among the living. Our hills then, as now, will catch the 
first glimmerings of the morning, and the last rays of evening will linger on their 
bald and ragged brows, and then bright the sun will shine as to-day; but of all 
that our hands have wrought, and our hearts have loved, not a vestige will remain 
as we now behold it. What future good or ill, what storms of civil violence may 
pass over this land, we know not ; but so may me live, that the inheritance we have 
received, of freedom, truth, intelligence, virtue, and faith, may be handed down 
unspotted to those who shall succeed us." 

The above is copied from the " Conclusion " at the end of the second volume 
of J. V. H. Clark's " History of Onondaga County." Its sentiments being fully 
approved, it is, therefore, included in this ending, and constitutes a prelude to 
the following subjects of interest, which are related by the author in the first 
person : 

During my fifty years' residence in the village of Skaneateles, I have en- 
deavored to be a useful citizen, not only to the village, but to the town. My first 
experience was as a Trustee of the village during the fifties, when I established 
the precedent that a public officer could not be held responsible for his acts as 
such in the line of his duty. Although my experience on that occasion is not 
included in this volume, a reference to it is to In; found on page 387, which gives 
the names of one hundred well-known citizens of the village who were opposed 
to refunding to me one hundred dollars which had been ()aid by me as a Trustee 
of the village. The one hundred names were signed to a rcmonslrance, as follows: 
Tn THE Legislature ok the State of New York : 

The undersigned, citizens .ind taxpayers of the village of Skancatclcs. respectfully rcp- 
riscnt that they have just le.iriied that a hill hn^ l>ecn reported to the As^rmhly from the 



452 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

Coinniiltee on the Affairs of Villages, for the sum of one hinidred and eighty-eight dollars 
to be paid to E. Norinan Leslie on account of a certain judgment recovered against him 
by Thaddeus Edwards for an alleged trespass arising out of the collection of the expense 
of making a sidewalk in said village, and they hereby earnestly remonstrate against the passage 
of any such bill, for the following among other reasons : 

First. That it would establish a dangerous precedent to remunerate a public officer 
for the amount of judgments obtained against him for maladministration of public affairs. 

Second. That the suit against said Leslie was brought against him as a private trespasser, 
and not as Trustee of the village of Skaneateles ; that he was found guilty of such trespass 
in a Justice's court; and that he paid the amount of damages adjudged against him without 
an appeal, thus admitting the rightfulness of the judgment. 

Third. That the village of Skaneateles was never, and is not now, in any way, law- 
fully or equitably, bound to pay for the expense of making the sidewalk of said Edwards, 
because at the time said walk was built the village charter required that all persons should 
construct, relay, and keep in repair all sidewalks opposite their respective lots, in such 
time and manner and of such materials as the Trustees should by a by-law, resolution, or 
ordinance for that purpose direct; and in case of neglect or refusal on the part of such 
owners so to construct, etc., it was made lawful for the Trustees to cause such sidewalk to 
be so constructed, etc., for and on account of such owner or owners, and to collect the 
expense by tax upon every such lot, which tax was also made a lien thereon. (See Session 
Laws, 1850, chapter 229, page 424, section 6, " Sidewalks.") 

Your remonstrants would, therefore, suggest that, if Mr. Leslie failed to collect the 
cost of making a sidewalk for Mr. Edwards upon this double remedy against the rightful 
party, he should not be aided by the Legislature to get the money from other persons who 
are not now, and who never were, under any obligations to pay it. 

Tliis remonstrance was sent to the Legislature against the passage of a bill 
for the reHef of E. Norman Leshe that was then under consideration. The Legis- 
lature, having been fully apprised of all the details of the proceedings of the 
Board of Trustees, gave no countenance to the remonstrance, and passed the 
bill, which included not only the one hundred dollars paid by me, but also all 
expenses of every nature since the original payment, and interest on the one 
himdred dollars. In order to make this experience fully understood, that a 
public oliticer in the line of his duty can not be held responsible, it will be o£ 
interest here lo insert the law which was passed by the Legislature: 

Chapter 295. 
An Ait for the Relief of E. NoR\rAN Leslie, and to Authorize the Trustees of the 
Village of Skaneateles to raise One Hundred and Eighty-eight Dollars by Tax. 

Passed April 17, 1862, three-fifths being present. 
The Pcofle of the State of Nck' York, rc!>rcsented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as 
folloius: 

Section i. The Trustees of the village of Skaneateles shall assess, apportion, and 
raise by tax in said village the sum of one hundred and eighty-eight dollars, in addition to 
any and all sums they otherwise might raise by law, and it shall be lawful for said Trustees 
to assess and cause the said tax to be collected and enforced in the same manner as other 
taxes are assessed, collected, and enforced in said village ; and, when the Treasurer shall 
have collected the taxes under the tax-roll and warrant to be delivered to him, it shall be the 
duty of the said Treasurer to pay to E. Norman Leslie the said sum of one hundred and 
eighty-eight dollars, on account of a certain judgment (together with the interest and expenses 



HISTORY UP SKAS'EATELES. 



453 



:.coriiecl thereon) recovered against him by Thaddciis Eilwards for an alleged trespass 
arising out of the collection of the expenses of making a sidewalk in said village, which 
sidewalk was made under the direction of the Board of Trustees of said village, of which 
the said E. Norman Leslie was a member. 

Sectio.s- 2. This act shall take ciTect immediately. 

My next experience was as a private citizen in the year 1872 (sec pafje 2741. 
when the town of Skaneatelcs became bonded fur $250,000 in behalf of liie 
New York Western Midland Railroad Company. The bonding had apparently 
been fully completed luidcr tl'.e decision of the County Judge. For further par- 
ticulars, sec page 277. My discovery of the defection of the County Judge fur- 
nished two gentlemen — Forrest G. Weeks and C. W. .Mlis — with evidence on 
which to file an appeal against the judgment of the County Judge, which resulted 
in a judgment declaring the illegality of the bonding. Thus the town of Skan- 
■ .".teles was fortunately saved from a debt of $250,000. 

It was during my term of office as President of tiic village that the Inter- 

L rban Trolley Railroad made application for a franchise. I was heartily in 

tavor of granting such franchise, although great opposition existed from the 

village merchants and some other persons. I could see in the future that the 

village of Skaneateles would be greatly benefited in many directions, and it was 

through my instrumentality with the other Trustees that a franchise was finally 

.rranted. I, therefore, drew the franchise myself, first obtaining copies of fran- 

liises from other villages which had granted franchises, I paying the expense of 

pying them. The franchise was carefully drawn to protect tiic interest of the 

illagc in the proper care of the streets in the construction of the track, and jire- 

ribe the weight of its rails per yard and other regulations respecting the road- 

'. ay next to the track. I was very careful not to embarrass the company by 

' 'Mipelling it to pay a percentage on its gross receipts, as is often done in nthcr 

laces. The village desired a well constructed road, and in all other particulars 

up-to-date'" equipments. These have lieen completed i)y the company. The 

itect of the completion of the road has thus far produceil an encouraging im- 

iricssion that this village, so long imprisoned, as it were, from the outside world. 

will henceforth take its proper position among the most attractive villages in 

the State. 

It was solely by my individual persistence against the most determined op- 
|iosition of the late C. Pardee, together with my advances of money to pay partly 
IT the land, and for all other expenses attendant on laying out the grounds. 
' ncing. etc., that the village of .Skaneateles now owns one of the most attractive 
rmetcries in the Stale of Xew York. It has never cost the taxpayers a single 
dollar of taxation. On the contrary, the village has received large sums of 
money, net profits from the use of the cemetery, from its ap|>ointccs, the Cemetery 
Commissioners. My advances of money to the original Rural Cemetery Ass<Kia- 
tion. which was an incorporated association, amounted to $3,075. This was a 
loan to the association, and constituted a " floating debt," to Ik- redeemed from 
the sales of lots and plats. P.esidcs my own advances, I persuaded other citizens 



454 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

of the town to loan money to the association, which many did. Each person so 
loaning received from the corporation a certificate of indebtedness. (A copy 
of such certificate is given on page 429.) Not one of twenty or more of the 
certificates issued has ever been paid by either the Trustees of the village of 
Skaneateles or by the Cemetery Commissioners, whose duty it was to notify the 
holders of those certificates that they had money on hand, realized from the sale 
of lots, to pay pro rata each certificate. Not a single certificate of indebtedness 
has ever been paid! Only $713.28 of the total loan of $3,075 which I made has 
been paid, leaving due to me up to March 10, 1880, $2,362.47. This balance has 
never been paid. The village of Skaneateles is responsible for its non-payment 
from the profits they have received from the cemetery. 

It was through my instrumentality that the village of Skaneateles has now 
municipal ownership of its water works system, which is far superior to the old 
sheet-iron pipes lined with Rosedale cement which now belong to the American 
Pipe Manufacturing Company of New Jersey. It was fortunate that the village 
was unable to purchase this plant, v.'hich belongs to a pipe company that is char- 
tered with a capital of one million dollars. The modesty of its incorporators is 
shown by the amount of stock subscribed by them — $2,000! J. \V. Hawley, the 
present President of the Skaneateles Water Works Company, was one of the 
incorporators of the pipe company, and he only subscribed for two shares ! For 
a full description of this Jersey company, see page 381 of this volume. This 
company is now and always has been " The Skaneateles Water Works Company." 
It is the plaintiflf in all the water litigation against the village. Its attorney 
here in the village makes the assertion that his company will succeed in its 
action against the village. In the event of an adverse decision, which is doubtful, 
by the Supreme Court of the United States, before which this litigation is at 
present, I have two propositions of evidence in courts of record which will be 
used in a new trial, and which will finally defeat the pipe company. Mark this 
prediction ! 

Since the above was written, the Supreme Court of the United Slates 
has made the following decision, which is authoritative: 

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES, 

No. 134. — 0( TOl'.KR TkRM, I9OI. 

The Skaneateles Waterworks Compan 

Plaintiflfs in Error, , , ..10 /- ^ r 

' 'n error to the Supreme Court 01 

^. r , .0, , T- XI 1 t'lt- State of New York. 

The Village of Skaneateles, E. Norman 

Leslie, as President of said Village, ct a!. 

[March 3, 1902.] 
This is a writ of error to the Supreme Court of the State of New York, 



lUSruRY OF S KAN EAT ELLS. 455 

the record having been remitted to tliat court from the Court of Appeals alter 
the hearing of an appeal to the latter court and an affirmance by it of the judgment 
appealed from. (i6i N. Y. 154.) 

The action was brought by the water company to restrain tiie village of 
Skaneatelcs and the individual defendants, its officers, from proceeding further 
with the construction of a waterworks system, or from doing any thing in 
furtherance of the construction or operation of any system of waterworks for 
that village. The plaintiff claimed that the village ordinance under which tlie 
proposed action on the part of the village was taken was void as impairing the 
obligation of a contract between plaintiff and the village; also, that its action 
if continued would result in the taking of plaintiff's property without due 
process of law; that the action of the defendant, if permitted, would result in the 
taking of private property for public use without compensation ; and that such 
legislation denied to plaintiff the equal protection of the laws. 

The defendants answered denying the contentions of plaintiff, and the case 
was referred to a referee for trial, who, after hearing the parties, reported 
that the defendants were entitled to judgment, dismissing the complaint upon the 
merits, with costs, and judgment was thereupon entered which was affirmed 
by the appellate division of the Supreme Court of the State and upon appeal 
by the Court of Appeals. 

As matters of fact the referee in his report found that the plaintiff was a 
domestic corporation organized under the act of 1873, chapter 737. and the 
several acts amendatory thereof; that the village of Skaneatelcs was a municipal 
corporation and the individual defendants were respectively the president, water 
commissioners and trustees of the village. On .April 5, 1887, the village granted 
a franchise to the plaintiff to maintain and operate within the village of Skan- 
eatelcs a system of waterworks for furnishing the village and its inhabitants 
pure and wholesome water upon the terms and conditions stated in the franchise. 
The plaintiff constructed the waterworks under this franchise and completed 
it about the year 1889 and put the same in operation ; that the system was a com- 
plete and adequate one, no complaint having been made that the water furnished 
by the plaintiff was not pure and wholesome, or that it had been inadequate for the 
purposes for which the system was erected. Prior to this time the village of Skan- 
eatelcs was not supplied with water by any company or corporation, nor did it 
possess any system of its own ; that since its incori)oration. and fcr the purjwse of 
carrying on its works, the plaintiff had incumbered its property by mortgages 
to secure the payment of bonds issued by it. which l)onds were outstanding at the 
time of the trial, .\ftcr the erection and completion of the waterworks and on 
February i, 1891. the plaintiff and defendants entered into a contract for the 
supply of water and the erection of hydrants and for the payment of certain 
compensation therefor by the defendants ; that such contract was limited by 
its terms to the period of five years from Fcbruani' i, 1801. and that it has 
not been renewed since the time of its expiration on Februar>- i. i8</i: that 



456 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

after such time, without any proceeding to vacate or annul the franchise of the 
plaintiff, or to dissolve the corporation, the defendant Leslie, as president of 
the village, appointed some of the other defendants to be water commissioners 
of the village, having in contemplation the purpose of constructing for said village 
a waterworks system of its own ; that the persons so appointed cominissioners 
entered upon the performance of their duties, called a meeting of the electors 
of the village, who voted in favor of municipal ownership of the waterworks, 
and after such election the water commissioners issued or caused to be issued 
bonds of the village to the amount of $30,000, which they sold for the purpose 
of obtaining money to construct a waterworks system of its own ; that the 
board of water commissioners of the village have entered into a contract for 
the construction of waterworks for said village, and have expended thereon 
about the sum of $24,000, and the works are substantially completed; that 
all of the proceedings were taken without instituting any proceeding to condemn 
the property of the plaintiff herein, although the plaintiff oft'ered to participate 
in a proceeding looking towards the condemnation of its property ; that the works 
of the plaintiff were constructed at large expense and its property rights and 
franchise mortgaged to secure its bonds which had been issued, and the income 
of the plaintiff from the operation of its plant had been insufficient to meet its 
outgoing expenses, and will be insufficient to meet its outgoing expenses when 
it shall cease to furnish water to the village of Skaneateles. 
As conclusions of law the referee held : 

( 1 ) That the village of Skaneateles was not required to institute proceedings 
to condemn the property of the plaintiff before commencing the construction of a 
waterworks system for the use of the village. 

(2) That the consent of the village of Skaneateles to the organization of the 
plaintiff as a waterworks company, and the making of a contract by the village 
of Skaneateles with the plaintiff for the supply of pure and wholesome water, 
did not vest in plaintiff the exclusive right to furnish said village with water, 
or prevent the village from granting to another corporation the right to supply 
water within the said village, or the village from constructing and maintaining 
a waterworks system to supply itself with water. 

(3) That subsequently to February l, 1896, no contractual relations existed 
between the plaintiff and the village of Skaneateles. and the village was not 
under legal obligation to enter into any contract with the plaintiff" after that date, 
or to continue to take water from the plaintiff; but was entitled to construct and 
maintain a waterworks system of its own. 

(4) That the defendants were entitled to judgment dismissing the complaint 
upon the merits with costs, and judgment was ordered accordingly. 

Though not, perhaps, material upon the legal rights of the parties, yet it is 
seen from correspondence found in the record that prior to the expiration 
of the contract in February, 1896, the company gave notice to the village 
thai it intended to increase its rents for hvdrants. Src, to fiftv dollars, which 



IlISTuRy OF SK.IAEATELES. 457 

sum was ten dollars per hydrant more than it was entitled to under the franchise 
granted it, and twenty dollars more than the sum named in tiie expiring contract. 
The village authorities refused to pay the increase, and the water company, 
on learning it had under its franchise the right to charge but forty dollars per 
hydrant, reduced its demand, but the parties failed to agree, and the contract 
expired. After its expiration the company notified the village that the hydrants 
had been closed and that there must be no interference with them, even in case of 
fire. Both parties became somewhat excited, it would seem, and it resulted in 
the village taking proceedings under chapter i8i of the laws of 1875. and 
its amendments for erecting and operating waterworks of its own. 

Mr. Justice I'eckiiam, after making the above statement of facts, delivered 
the opinion of the Court. 

The power of this court to review the judgment of the New York Court 
ui .\ppeals is limited to a consideration of the question whether any right 
of the plaintiff's protected by the Federal Constitution has been denied by the 
judgment. Whether the plaintiff is entitled to relief under the facts disclosed 
in the record upon general principles of equitable jurisdiction, is not a matter 
for us to inquire into so long as the question does not involve the constitutional 
rights of the plaintiff. 

The claim is made that the ordinance adopted by the authorities of the 
\illage of Skaneateles in 1896. providing in substance for the erection and 
■ ration of a water system by the village, which ordinance was passed pursuant 
m authority of the legislature under the act, chapter 181 of the laws of 1875, 
.>r.il amendments, (giving authority to cities and villages to build their own 
waterworks,) impaired the obligations of the contract existing between the 
\illagc and the company. The contract to which reference is made is not the 
one which was entered into in 1891 between these parties for the term of five 
years, because that contract was fully carried out and had expircil by its own 
limitation in February, 1896, but it is the contract which the plaintiff in error 
claims was implied by reason of its organization and incr>rporation in 1887. 
in pursuance of an application made to, and with the consent of, the village 
authorities, and under the provisions of chapter 7^7 of the laws of \ew York 
of 1873. and the acts amendatory thereof. It is said the village at the time 
of plaintiff's incorporation had the election to do the work itself under the 
above act of 1873. or to confer upon a private company like the plaintiff, luuler 
the act of 1873. the right to do it. and when with these two different methods 
for obtaining a supply of water the village chose that which called for a supply 
by a private company, it impliedly contracted that it would not itself thereafter 
•nlso the other method for obtaining such supply, unless it Ixiught the plant of the 
•npany or condemned it under the provisions of the act of 1875. This, it 
^ •^aid, was implied in the grant made by the village. Sections. I, 2, 3. 4 and 5 



458 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

of the act of 1873. under which the plaintiff was incorporated, are set forth in the 
raarsjin.* 

* Chap. 737, Laws of 1873. 

Sec. I. Any number of persons not less than seven may hereafter organize in any town 
or village of this State a waterworks company, imder the provisions of this act. 

Sec. 2. Whenever any persons to the number of seven or more shall organize for the 
purpose of forming a waterworks company in any of the towns or villages in this State, 
they shall present to the town or village authorities an application, setting forth the persons 
who propose to form said company, the proposed capital stock thereof, the proposed number 
and character of the shares of such capital stock, and the name or names of the streams, 
ponds, springs, lakes or other sources and their locations, from which water is to be supplied. 
Such applications shall be signed by the persons who propose to form said company, and shall 
contain a request that the said town or village authorities shall consider the application of 
said company to supply said town or village of this State, or the inhabitants thereof, with 
pure and wholesome water. Upon the presentation of such application, the authorities of 
any town or village, w'hich authorities are for the purposes of this act defined to consist for 
incorporated villages and towns, the board of trustees and supervisor, and for all other 
tovwis, the supervisor, justices of the peace, town clerk and commissioner of highways. 
Said authorities shall within thirty days of the presentation of said application determine by 
a vote of a majority of the authorities of said town or village, whether said application shall 
be granted ; and the authorities of any town or village in this State are hereby authorized 
and empowered to make such determination, and when the same shall be made, to sign a 
certificate to that effect, and immediately transmit the same to the person making such 
application or either of them. Duplicate certificates of such determination shall be filed in 
the office of the clerk of said town or village, and in the office of the county clerk of the 
county in which said town or village granting such application shall be situated. The 
persons named in such application shall thereupon meet and organize as a waterworks com- 
pany under such corporate name as they may select. They shall file in the office of the 
secretary of State a certificate of such organization. Said certificate shall contain the name 
of the corporation, the names of the members of said corporation and their residences, the 
amount of capital stock, the location of the office of said company. Such certificate shall be 
subscribed and sworn to by the president of said corporation, and shall be attested by the 
secretary thereof. Upon the filing of said certificate said waterworks company shall be 
known and deemed a body corporate, and shall be capable of suing and being sued by the 
corporate name which they shall have selected, in any of the courts of this State. The capital 
stock of said company shall be paid in the manner and within the time provided by the " Act 
to authorize the formation of corporations for manufacturing, mechanical or chemical pur- 
poses," passed February seventeenth, eighteen hundred and forty-eight, and the several 
amendments thereto, and the stockholders of said companies shall be personally liable for 
the debts of said companies in the same manner and to the same extent as is provided by said 
act and the amendments thereto. 

Sec 3. Said corporation shall have power to take and hold real estate for the purpose of 
their corporation, and may have, hold and occupy any of the waters of this State ; provided, 
however, that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to infringe upon any private right 
which shall not have been the subject of an agreement and lease or purchase by said corpora- 
tion. Provided, that said company shall have no power to take or use water from any of the 
canals of this State or any canal reservoirs as feeders or any streams which have been taken 
by the State for the purpose of supplying the canals with waters. 

Sec. 4. Any corporation organized under the provisions of this act may, and they are 
hereby authorized and empowered, to lay their water pipes in any streets or avenues or 



HISTORV OF SK.l.\l:.m-:Lf:S. 459 

Under tlie act of 1875. cliap. 181, the village was authorized to erect and 
operate its own works. I'rovision was made in the act in detail for the 
orgfanization of a lx>ard of water commissioners and the building of waterworks, 
the mode of paying for the same, and other matters connected with the supply of 
water. That part of the twenty-second section of the act in regard to the taking 
of the property of a private company, is set forth in the margin.* 

Pursuant to the provisions of the act of 1873. certain persons on July 5, 1887, 
; 'lied to the village authorities for permission to organize a water company 
-upply the village with pure and wliolesomc water, and on that day the author- 
..xs granted the request. On .August i, 1887. a certificate was duly filed in the 
office of the secretary of State at .Mbany. by which the corporation was formed 
under the name of The Skaneatelcs Waterworks Company. .'Subsequently tu the 
incorporation of the plaintiff it built the waterworks and entered into a contract 
with the village authorities to supply water to the village for five years from 
February i, 1891. 

It would seem to be clear, under the decisions of tliis court, that the plaintiff 
in applying to the village and filing its certificate with the secretary of State 
under the act of 1873 acquired no contract right, expressed or implied, to any 
exclusive privilege of using the streets of the village for supjilying it with 
water. (Charles Rhcr Bridt^c Company v. Warren Bridge Company, 11 Pet. 
420; Long Island Water Supply Company v. Brooklyn, 166 U. S. 683. 696; 
Walla Walla City v. Walla Walla U'ater Company. 172 Id. i, 13.) The Court 
of Appeals of Xew York held to the same effect in regard to a provision in the 
charter of Syracuse relating to the rights of a water company, the provision 
'"^ing similar to the charter here involved. (Syracuse Water Company v. City 

'lie places, in any streets or avenues of an adjoining town or village, to the town or village 
where their application shall have been granted. 

Sec S. Said corporations are authorized and empowered to supply the authorities or in- 
h.nbitants of any town f>r village where they may have organized, with pure and wholesome 

ti-r. at such rates and cost to consumers as they shall agree upon. 



• Part of Sec. 22, Chap. 181, Laws of 1875. 

Sec. 22. " Whenever any corporation shall have been organized under the laws of this 
'r for the purpose of supplying the inhabitants r,f nnv vilbpr with wntrr. nnd it shall 
ine or be deemed necessary l)y the board of •.• Iiori/ed to 

rcated, that the rights, privileges, grants aiil <hall be 

ired for any of the purposes of this act, the c<n.r ' r ,-rrntrd 

! have the power, and it shall 1* their duty, ti' m.ikr, ..r • .\u-r i.. !• 
mination of the works, rights, privileges and properties owned or hcl ' 
-, or any of them, and if 'uch commissioners shall iletermine that m 
lieges and properties are necissary for ihe purposes of this act. they sb.il! Ii.im- tlir rifhl 
lake application to the Supreme Court . . " The section then provides (or taking 
property by condemnation. • 



46o HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

of Syracuse, ii6 X. Y. 167, decided in 1889; also Matter of City of Brooklyn, 
143 N. Y. 596, affirmed in this court, 166 U. S. supra.) Indeed, this proposition 
is conceded by counsel for the plaintiff, and it admits that the village, notwith- 
standing its grant to the plaintiff, possessed the power to grant to any other 
individual company the same kind of privilege it had already granted to plaintiff. 
But it denies the right of the village to avail itself of the authority to itself 
build and operate the works, given under the act of 1S75, unless the plaintiff's 
plant be taken by purchase or condemnation. 

Having before it the above act of 1873, amended in 1877, the Court of 
Appeals, in People ex rcl. d-c. v. Forrest and others, (97 N. Y. 97, 100, decided 
in 1884,) said that: "The State authorized the formation of waterworks com- 
panies in its towns and villages, (Laws of 1877, chap. 171,) but it does not require 
one so organized to supply water to the town or village, nor does it require 
the town or village to take its supply of water from the company so formed." 

It is true that by chapter 566 of the laws of 1890 it was provided that the 
water companies " shall supply the authorities or any of the inhabitants of any 
city, town or village through which the conduits or mains of such corporation 
may pass, with pure and wholesome water at reasonable rates and cost ; " and the 
act provided that contracts might be made therefor. But there was no provision 
making it incumbent upon the municipal authorities to take water from any 
such company. 

By virtue of its incorporation under this act of 1873 the plaintiff' secured 
simply the right to be a corporation and the authority to lay its water pipes 
in any of the streets and avenues or public streets of the village of Skaneateles. 
The village, however, as stated, was under no obligation to take water from 
the company. That was a matter for subsequent contract between the parties. 
Admitting that in every grant there is an implication that the grantor will do 
nothing to detract from the full and complete operation of the grant itself, we 
cannot find any implication that, after the termination of the contract the plaintiff 
and defendant were empowered to make, there should be no right in the defendant 
to build its own system of waterworks under the statute of 1875, unless it 
purchased or condemned the property of the plaintiff. 

There is no implied contract in an ordinary grant of a franchise, such as 
this, that the grantor will never do any act by which the value of the franchise 
granted may in the future be reduced. Such a contract would be altogether 
too far reaching and important in its possible consequences in the way of limi- 
tation of the powers of a municipality, even in matters not immediately connected 
with water, to bo left to implication. \\\- think- Udiic such arises from tlie facts 
detailed. 

It is not amiss to hero recall the situation at the lime plaintiff hccanio in- 
corporated, in 1887. imder the act of 1873. That act pr(i\ido(l for the organi- 
zation and incorporation of water companies which mi'<ht furnish water to 
cities, villages and towns of the State. There was also the act nf 1S75 ("chapter 



ni:>iul<i ui- SK.L\E.1TELI-S. 461 

181 j and its aniendmenls, granting to the village autliorilics the right tu erect and 
operate a water system of their uwn. There was the further statutory provision, 
(chapter 129 of the Laws of 1879. relating to the municipality, and chapter 
422 of the Laws of 1885, relating to a water company,) that the contracts to 
be entered into between the water companies and tlie municijial authorities 
should not extend beyond five years, unless there was a vole of tiie electors 
authorizing a contract for a longer period, but in no case longer tlian thirty 
years. Now while the parties are prohibited ironi contracting for more than 
five years without a vote of the electors, which was nut taken, how can it be 
said that when they contracted only for the time permitted by the legislature, 
there was nevertheless an implied contract that the village would never avail 
itself of the right provided by statute, without purchasing or condemning the 
property of the plaintiff? No such condition is stated in any statute. We cannot 
see any solid foundation for the claim that there was a final and conclusive 
election of methods by the village, out of which sprang the implied contract 
contended for, when the legislature at that very time prohibited a contract 
for more than five years. It would seem in the nature of things that the election 
of methods was for no longer a time than the law ])iTmilted a contract to be made 
under the method chosen by the village, .\fter the expiration of that time we 
cannot see why the parties were not in the same condition as to their respective 
rights that they were in before the contract for the five years was made. Other- 
wise, we have the anomalous condition that the village may grant unconditionally, 
the franchise to supply it with water, to another private company, while ceasing 
and refusing to take from the old company, and yet it cannot erect its own water 
system, (unless it purchases or condemns the plant of the plaintiff,) Ijecause 
it chose to enter into a contract with plaintiff for a supply of water by it for 
five years, although the contract has expired by its own limitation and the 
parties are under no legal obligation to renew it. We can appreciate tiic argument 
that the village had no right to build and use its own plant during the running 
of the five years' contract, but we fail to .sec the force of the claim that, nn account 
"t once making a contract with the plaintiff for five y<^ars, the village irrevocably 

ind itself by an implied contract never to build its own plant without taking 
condemnation the property of the plaintiff if the parties could not agree on 
' rnis of purchase. We cannot see the logic of such contention. 

The very fact that the taking of the plant of a private existing compaii\ 

was not made a condition for the exercise of the authority to build granted 

the village by the act of 1875, shows there was no implied contract to take 

uh property. The right to build was specifically given to the village under the 

! of 1875. whether any private company existed or not, and that right to 
Id was nowhere in the statute conditioned upon a taking by the village of the 

int of the private company. The act recognized the fact that there might lie an 

:-ting private company, anrl the twcnty-sccon<l section gave the village authority 
take it, but did not compel it. It, therefore, authorized the village to build 



462 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

and operate its works without taking the plant of the private company. Both 
these acts were in existence when the plaintiff was incorporated under the 
act of 1873, and it took the chance of the village thereafter availing itself of the 
act of 1875 to build and operate, unconditionally, its ow'n plant. 

When the contract for the five years had expired we look in vain for 
anything in either of the statutes of 1873 or 1875 upon which to base the implied 
contract contended for. The court below, after careful consideration of the 
statute of 1875, came to the conclusion that there was nothing in the language 
of the twenty-second or any other section thereof compelling the village to 
purchase or condemn the plant of the company, and that no contract could be 
implied therefrom. Chief Judge Parker, in his opinion in this case, (161 N. Y. 
154, at page 162,) says: 

" On the other hand, tlie appellant urges that the statute authorizing villages to supply 
themselves with water, and permitting the acquisition of the works of any private corpora- 
tion that may be supplying such municipalities with water, also makes it the duty of the 
water commissioners to acquire the property of the existing corporation or corporations. 
But after a very careful examination of the statute it seems to us very clear that this is not 
so. It is probable that the legislature mistakenly assumed that such authorities would not 
act unjustly or oppressively, but would recognize the property rights of others. Be that as 
it may, the right to determine whether the property of an existing waterworks corporation 
should be taken or not is clearly submitted to the determination of the local authorities. 
The refusal of the defendant, therefore, to acquire the plaintiff's property by proceedings 
in invitum does not tend to support the plaintiff's claim for an injunction. The defendant 
has done precisely what the statute authorizes, and all that remains for the court to determine 
is whether the act was within the legislative power, or void because in contravention of the 
organic law." 

The judge then proceeded to discuss that question, and held that the action 
of the village was legal. We concur in this view. The language too plainly leaves 
it to the discretion and judgment of the water commissioners, to permit of any 
other construction. Not being bound by the statute to take the property of 
the plaintiff" as a condition of building its own plant, there is, as we have 
said, no implication of a contract to do that which the statute itself does not 
direct. 

Reference was inade on the argument to two Pennsylvania cas^s, decided 
by the Supreme Court of that State. They are White v. City of Meadville, 
(177 Pa. St. 643,) and Mctzger v. Beaver Falls, cf-c, (178 Id. i.) They 
decide what is the proper construction to be given certain statutes of that State 
relating to municipal corporations, and to water companies formed to supply 
them with water. The actions were brought by taxpayers of the munici- 
palities to restrain the latter from erecting works of their own to supply 
water. The cotirt held that under the powers given to the municipalities 
by those statutes, they had not the right to erect such w-orks unless they 
took the plant of the water companies then operating such plant. They did 



HISTORY Ul-' SKANEATELES. 463 

not hold tliere was any implied contract on the part of tlie municipalities that 
they would so take the plant, or that to operate works of their own witiiout 
doing so would be a taking of the property without due process of law or without 
making compensation, or that it would be a denial of the equal protection of the 
laws. The cases were maintained on equitable principles and in favor of 
taxpayers who were complainants, and there was no question of contract between 
the city and the water company upon the basis of which the actions were per- 
mitted to stand. It was a simple question of the powers granted to the parties 
by the different statutes. The court said that although the city was not bound 
to become the owner of the works, it had no power to destroy their value by 
duplicating them at the expense of the taxpayers. .\ taxpayer was the plaintiff. 
The court decided no Federal question in either case. The statutes of- New York 
are somewhat different, and the State court has come to the conclusion that under 
them the village was not bound to take the plant of the plaintiff. We agree in 
the view that there was no implied contract to take the property of plaintiff, 
•ven though the village should subsequently to the expiration <if the written 

■ntract erect its own water system. 
It is also plain that as there was no contract, such as is claiined by the 
plaintiff, the action of the village has not resulted in the taking of any i>f the 
property of the plaintiff without due process of law or without compensation. 
It has not taken any of the property of the plaintiff in any aspect of the case. 
Its action may have seriously impaired the value of the plaintiff's property, 
but it has taken none of it, and such decrease in value, caused by the village 
exercising its right to build and operate its own plant, furnishes, under the 
facts in this case, no foundation for the plaintiff's claim. {Lchig,h Water Com- 
pany v. Easton, 121 U. S. 388, 390.) 

In Pumpdly v. Green Bay Company. (113 U. S. 166,) the land of the 
plaintiff had been overflowed by water under a claim of right under a statute, 
and it was held that such cuntinuous overflow and user amounted to a taking 
of the plaintiff's property. 

This is not such a case. The property of the plaintiff remains wholly 
untouched. Its value has decreased because the village no longer takes water 
from it. and the inhabitants will probably also take their supply from the village 
works, but the plaintiff's property has not been taken, as that term is understood 
in constitutional law. What the village ought to do in the moral aspect of the 
■nse is. of course, not a question for us to determine. 

The Court of .Appeals has held in this case that the provisions in the statute 

r the taxation of the property of the company in common with other owners 

I property to pay the obligations incurred in the construction of the works 

the village, and all discriminating taxation of the patrons of the company 

r>- invalid. See al.so Warsaw Walcru-orks Company v. Village of Warsaw. 

.1 N. Y. 17^. 'I The plaintiff is, therefore, freed from the obligations imposed 
those provisions. 



464 HISTORY OF SKANEATELES. 

The views above expressed show that there was no such contract as claimed 
by the plaintiff, and consequently no impairment of the obligations of any 
contract, and there has been no taking of plaintiff's property, nor has it been 
denied by the State the equal protection of the laws. The judgment of the Court 
of Appeals of New York is right, and must, therefore, be 

Afjirmcd. 
True copy. 

Test: 

(Signed) James H. McKenney, 

Clerk Supreme Court, U. S. 
[seal.] 

Another instance of the benefit derived from my exertions for the interests 
of the village was the system of clearing the snow from the sidewalks by horse- 
power during the winter season. This was introduced in the year 1867. For a 
full account of this, see page 384 of this volume. 

Therefore, I assume that my experiences as an officer of the village and as a 
citizen of both town and village, and my public services as such, have been bene- 
ficial to the community. As an item of my individual history, the following 
may be of interest in connection with the w'ork accomplished in writing the 
contents of this volume and of collecting a comprehensive history of Skaneateles: 
I was born in New Bedford, Mass., August 13, 1817, now nearly eighty-five 
years of age. 

" For the structure that \vc raise, 
Time is with material filled: 
Our to-days and yesterdays 
Are the blocks with which we build."— Longfellow. 

Edmund Norman- Leslie. 



ADDHNDUM 




iM MARVIN. 



JL'DGI-: WILIJAM MAUMX. 



Jiuljjc Mars ill was l>orii at l"airticl(l. llcrkiiiiir Guimy. April 14. i^jH. His 
father was ScKkn Marvin and liis motlur Cliarlntte Pratt, of Sayl)r<»k. Cuiin. 
lie was a lineal descentlant nf Keinuld Marvin, who came from l-lii|.;laiul to 
Lyme, Conn., in 1633. Wlicn he was an infant the Ju<lj;e"s iJarents niove<l to 
Dryden, Tompkins County, and there lie grew tu manlnMid. He was educated 
in the district school, and at the age of fifteen years was a teacher in the same 
school. At eighteen he started out with a few dollars and a new suit of clotlies 
to go to I'helps tu teach school. He expected a letter at Ithaca from his hrother, 
who was arranging to secure the school. He did not get it, although it was mailed 
to him, and believing that his hrother had neglected him he decided to " cut loo.se " 
and shift for himself. He started soutli. riding hy stage, and then walking to 
save money. He finally reached I'.ladenlnirgh, near Washington, 1). C, without 
money. It was hard work, hut peo|)Ie trusted the honest hoy and he started a 
sc1kk)I. He succeeded fairly well, getting thirty or more pupils. ( )n July 4, 1827, 
he trudged into Washington in the boiling sun to see the city and attend the 
President's reception. He shook hands with President John Ouincy .\dams. and 
saw many notables, including I ieiieral W'infield Scott. 

.\ SniiKNT or L.wv. 

Soon after that he started out to study law, and was admitteil to the bar in 
this State in 1833, almost seventy years ago. In 1835 he went to l-'loriila and was 
appointed by President Andrew Jackson, for whom he cast his first vote, to l»e 
United States District Attorney for the Southern District of Floriila. I-'or the 
next twenty-six years he made Key West his home. A few years after iiis 
appointment President Martin \ an Kuren ap]H>inted him I'nited States Jmlge, 
and when I'lorida was admitted into the I'nion as a State he was apjHiinted I'nited 
States Judge for the State by President Polk. He held that Judgeship until i8<.3, 
when ill health caused him to resign. Through all the difficulties pn-ceding and 
during the first part of the Civil War Judge Marvin maintained a I'nion (.ourt 
against all difficulties. The State had seceded, but the I'nion (lag lloated over the 
Court 1 louse. 

GOVER.NOK 0|- Fl.oKIl).\. 

In i8()3 Judge Marvin went to New York, but in 18^)5 he was sent back to 
Florida by President Johnson, who ap|H)iiUed him Provisional ( lovernor of I'lorida. 
During the six tuonths that he was Provisional Coventor he brought alniut the 
reconstruction of the State government very materially. Then the cari)etbag 
government followed, and the Judge, like many others, was opjntsed to negroes 
voting. He was elected United States Senator by the whites, hut In-cause the 



negroes were not allowed to vote another election was held, and the Judge refused 
to stand as a candidate. 

In 1846 the Judge married Harriet N. Foote, of Cooperstown, who died a 
few years later. In 1867 he married Mrs. Eliza Riddle Jewett, of Skaneateles. 
Soon after Judge and Mrs. Marvin moved there, and from that time until his 
death Skaneateles was his home. 

Judge Marvin was always a great student of history and of the Bible, and 
wrote much upon those subjects. He was for thirty years honored and revered 
by all in Skaneateles. Until the day of his death his mind was clear, and few 
men there are living who could speak as he could from personal experience of 
Adams, Van Buren, Jackson, Clay, Webster, Calhoun, Jefiferson Davis, and the 
other great men of days long gone by. 

Judge William Marvin died July 9, iyo2, the l)est loved man in Skaneateles, 
a jurist of distinction, a churchman of devout faith, and a student of theology, 
a man interested in public affairs, a party man, yet one who put his sense of duty 
so far above party that after voting for every Democratic President from Jackson 
to Cleveland, he openly disavowed Bryan. 

Judge Marvin had been ill for several days with i:)neunionia. His years were 
so many that he could not bear up under it. His life was despaired of for twenty- 
four hours before his death. Mrs. Marvin died in 1901. His son-in-law and 
daughter. General and Mrs. M. I. Ludington, were with him at the last. 

The Judge died at the home he has occupied for a generation — the Jewett 
homestead in Genesee Street, originally the home of Freeborn Garrison Jewett, 
first Chief Judge of the Xew York State Court of .Appeals. 

A Democu.\t UxTir. i8i/). 

Judge Marvin was a Democrat. He voted for the seventh 1 'resident of the 
United States, Andrew Jackson, the hero of Xew Orleans, and he voted the 
Democratic ticket until 1896, si.\ty-ninc years. Then he repudiated Bryan, and 
then ancl once again voted for the Republican candidate. William McKinlev. 



INDHX OF NAMHS. 



Adams, Emerson II .... 21 

Allen, Eastwood . . 317 

H. W 195. 3fy.. .u6. 317. 336 

James M 186, 282, 284, 320 

Joseph 306 

Allis, C W.. &Co 195 

Caleb W II. 195, 206, 

208, 275, 277. 306, 318, 322, 453 

Moses & Huxtable 195 

Rhoadcs & Hall 195 

Thomas 229 

& Hall 198 

& Morgan 195 

& Wicks I9S 

Andrews, Elnathan 269, 361 

.Arnold, George 320 

Henry 78, 1 12 

John Miltnn 284 

.•\itstin, Aaron 32. 37. 62, 405 

Dor . . 20 



Bacon, .\-.t 

Baker, R.J 

Timothy 

Bannister &• Hubbard 

Weeks & I.eilrh 
Barnes & Colcnian 

Eli 

Barrow, C. E 

George 

John 

John D 

Bartlett, Dr. I.tvi T 

Bassett, Joseph 

Bates. Abner 

Beach, Elizabeth T. Porter 

Erasi,,. M 



296. 

• 23. 35- 284, 



336. 



PACE. 

Bcaiichamp. Miss M. E 317 

Rev. Win. .\l 4. 152, 293, 396 

Wm. Millett 284, 318 

Bccbe, .Mex. R 6a, 124 

Bellamy, Samuel 23. 68, 281 

Bench, James 284 

Benedict, Dr. Isaac 326 

Dr. Michael 1" 327 

Peter 326 

S. E 376 

Dr. Samuel 134, 326 

Bennett. Nate 70 

Benson, Alanson 25 

Dr. P. Oscar C 327 

Billings, John 31 

Blodgett, A 304 

Booth, Jonathan 35. 198. 208, 281, 282 

Zalmon 268, 28a 

& Ingham 134. 198, 366 

Bowcn, Almeron '. . 14 

Benajah 13. 14 

Elijah 13, 14 

Brainerd, Dyer 23, 1 50, 284, 335. 419 

Bramble, Grant 227 

Breed, J.icob W. . . 405 

Briggs, Widow . 15 

Daniel '>2 

I.saac 144 

John 1.=;. 3-i. 36. 77. "32. 370 

Noah 194 

Samuel . (S8. 133 

& H.ill .... 194 

Brinkerhoff, .Aar..ii .208 

& Porter .>o8 

& Willetts . . -•..« 

Bristol. John (<7 

Burdict. '■ Old " David 219.324 

Burnett. Allwrt De Cost 35a 361 

Mrs. C. J 67 

Charles J 23. 26. 38. 

33, 1.^. 218, 281, 383. 306, 330 
Charles J., Jr 30l, 3o8 



466 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



PAGE. 

Biii-nott, Joseph H 284 

William J 3I7 

Burridge, John 286 

Burroughs, Daniel 20, 273 

Bush, Silas 23 

C. 

Campbell, Dr. Geo. T 35. 318, 325 

Candee, Mrs. Eliza A 142 

Carpenter, John 308 

Carrigan, P. C, & Co 172 

Caulkins (a cooper) I5 

Chadwick, Holland W 172 

Champ, Alfred 438 

Child, W. H 108 

Clark, Ashley 183 

Mrs. Calvin 368 

Charles (Parsons) 215 

Chester 20 

Eli 8, 15, 52, 95, 281 

Foster 15. 52, 281 

William 281 

Clift, Joab 15' 

Joseph 280 

William 62, 78, Qi- 405 

Cobane, Miss Lydia A 318 

Cody, Mrs 30. 120 

Coe, Edward B 160, 171, 172. 284, 318 

Noble 214 

Cole, Bethuel 15. 361 

Collins, John A I7S 

Colvin, Jasper II 183, 320 

Conover, Shuler D 318 

Cornell, Perry ^20 

Cory, Adin 284 

Cotton, George, & Owen 366 

Willard 366 

& Lewis 79 

Crosby, Phillip 281 

Ransom 284 

Crosier, Tip 276 

Cuddeback, Abraham 370 

Abraham A 1 1, 13. 36, 269 

Lafayette 81 

Cuykendall. Henry 19 

Moses 19 

D. 

Daniels, John 282 

Dascomb, Joseph 23, 136, 183, 320 



PAGE. 

Davey, John, Jr 306 

Day, Rowland 33i 

Winston 14, IS. 23, 25. 30, 

32, 33. 35, 144, 168. 177. 388 

& Hecox 154 

& Sherwood 48. 388 

De Cost, Mrs. Hannah H 142, 390 

Capt. Nash 140, 284, 293, 298 

Delano, Howard 171 

De Witt, Jacob C 306 

De Zeng, Richard L 316, 368 

Dibble, Philo 23, 136 

Dickerson, McKendree 225 

& Kennedy 305 

Diefendorf , Geo. E I59 

Daniels, Spencer A 286 

Dodge, Harrison B 72, I53. 208, 306, 331 

Douglass, Archibald 17° 

William B 78 

Drake, Samuel 168 

Dullard, Mr 34 

Dunning, Moses B 331 

E. 

Earll, A. J 304 

Abijah 21, 22 

Augustus -, 22, 171 

Daniel 16, 21, 22, 170, 183 

David 195 

Delos 171 

George H 22, 172, I73 

George H., & Co 303 

Dr. George W 328 

Hezekiah 21, 22, 172, 320 

Hezekiah, & Co 172 

Hiram '71 

J. Horatio 22 

Jonas 17 

Julius 20, 22, 172, 173. 276 

Kellogg & Co 333 

Leonard H 22, 171, 272 

Nehemiali H 16, 17, 18, 22 

Robert 16, 17. 18. 21. 22, 32, 172, 281 

Thayer & Co 172, 305 

& Tallman 305 

Edwards, Alanson 16. 23, 52, II4. "6 

Jonathan 293 

Simeon ' 'S 

Solomon I'S 

Thaddeus 16. 23. 1 16, 213, 367 

Eells, Nathaniel 28, 213 



/.\7)/:.Y OF X.IMES. 



PACE. 
Ellcry, William (i .306 

Elliott, Charles L. 2g6 

Ellsbury, George II 221 

Ennin, James 312. 367 

F. 

Farr, Archibald 135 

Fay, Massilon 2ip 

Field, Sereno 281 

Fillmore, Millard 175 

Fitch. Lewis B 371 

Fitzgerald, William 1 1 

Flink, Dr 70 

Foster, Sol 70 

Francis, George 188, 208, 284 

Samuel 113, 168. 221. 282, 320 

Wadsworth 71 

Frost, Ansel 171, 405 

Joseph 284 

Russell 284, 28s 

Fuller, C. M 285 

James Cannings 150, 368 

Sumner 255 

William 143, 306 

Furman. John S 281, 282, 284, 320 

G. 

Gardner, James 20 

Garlock. John G 20 

Gaylord, Silas 284 

Gibbs, Miss Harriet J 283 

William 282, 30.'), 320 

& Hannum 168 

& Horton 198 

Gifford, Mrs. S. A 368 

Stephen A. J02 

(;iles. W.-irren . 284 

I .illctt, Edson D. jo<j 

' .illman. James R 272 

' .■ .odall. Charles io2, 163 

' ;..rton. Dr. Wm. R 306. 328 

liould, Edward Osborne 211. 212, 369 

Phares 23. 35. 124. 

134, 209. 212, 306. 336, 366 

I iray, George 169 

' irccnman, Edward 20 

'.reeves, Thomas ...'. 35 

' iriswold, Eziekel ISS 

< iiimaer, Benjamin 78 

Peter E |.Jl. V>7 



Hale, Seth M .318 

Hall. Charles I- 393 

Charles S 318 

f'a^'<> «83. 194. 195. 

218. 219. 286. 336. 337 

Edwin E 371 

George B 18 

James 219, 286, 306, 31 • 

Dr. Jonathan 326 

Ralph 85, 115. 219. 286 

Seth & James 130, 169, 320 

Will T 33, 

& Pynchon 194 

Hammond, Dr. Alex 338 

Hannum. Spencer 306, 333 

Hawley, Nelson 284. 306, 320, 331 

Hccox, Thomas W 320 

Warren 174, 183 

& Tinkhani 78 

Hicks, Elias 367 

Hitchcock, Alfred 272, 370 

Hoagland, Jacob 286 

Hopkins, Dr. Judah B 280, 326, 335 

Horton, Alexander 306 

Stephen 198, 282, 329. 331 

Howe, David 79 

John 382 

Hoyt. Edward S 157 

Ezekiel B 173. 3<M 

EzekicI B., & Co 172 

Hubbard, Daniel 3, 4 

H J 306. 334.368 

Humphreys, Correl 79 

John 384, 318 

Hunsicker, Elias 171 

Hutchinson. Thos, 308 

Hiixford, Henry D 332 

Hiixl.iblc. Kichar.I "s/, 



Ingham. Samue 
Isbcll. Charles 
Isom. Th..iii.cv 



Jacacks, Samuel 
Jerome, .Xddinoi 



-TJO, 201, 366 

IS« 

200. JTl 



ri. 221, 3j6 



468 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



PAGE. 

Jewett, Freeborn G 78, 129, 158, 

193, 208, 306, 331 

William H 208, 284. 306, 331 

Johnson, Elisha 195 

Quincy A 176 

K. 

Keeney, E. Sherman 405 

Kelley, Thos 306, 332, 376 

Kellogg, Augustus 149. 221, 283, 

316, 320, 394 

Daniel 26, 48, 121. 183, 191, 289 

Daniel, Jr 136 

David H 317 

Dorastus 28, 152, 168, 170, 333 

Jessee 28, 79, 193, 268 

John 20, 35, 152, 171, 222 

John R 28, 44, 49 

Noadiah 320 

Kingsbury, Dr. David 13. 14. 326 

Kirkland, Samuel 241 

Knapp, Ezra B 306 

Kneeland, Asa 78, 386 

Horace 386 

Dr. Jonathan 386 

Knibloe, Mrs. Sophia 142 

Knox, J. K 371 

L. 

Lamb, Alford 308 

Lafayette, General 184 

Lawrence, Dorastus 62 

Giles M 206 

George P 202 

Lawton, Abner 164, 284, 285 

Lapham, Anson 206, 318, 320, 321, 322 

Amie Ann 318, 323 

Lee, Capt. Benjamin 23, 137 

Benoni 276, 318, 322, 396, 398 

Ezra 91 

Legg, John 17, 23, 35, 66, 78, 113, 

143, 154, 169, 172, 218, 306, 317, 320 

Moses 78 

Leitch. Geo. F 158, 287. 289. 306 

Mrs. Geo. F 34 

Leland. John 17 

Leonard, Nathan 7. 15, 82 

Norman 15, 23, 35, 37, 82. 367, 388 

Leslie, E. Norman 275, 284, 306, 318. 333, 334 

Mrs. E. N 323, 32s 



PAGE. 

Lester, Dr. F. Harvey 328 

Litherland, Samuel 16, 33, 34, 113, 281 

Livingston, John W 23, 282, 335 

Lord, Dr. H. R 294 

Loss, Moses 35, 79 

Ludlow, Daniel 200, 312 

Edward G 200, 282, 316, 366 

& Hecox 200 

Lusk (early carpenter) 17 

M. 

McCray, James 405 

McKay, Daniel 69 

McLaughlin, John 306 

McNamara, John 371 

Mabbett, John H 170 

Manley, Elijah 361, 370 

Marvin, William. .259, 275, 306, 318, 321, 322 

Mason, Asa 15 

Avery IS 

Chloe 16 

J. L 16 

Capt. Richworth 154, 214 

& Earll 78 

Meeker, John 35, 37, 76, 77, 200, 388 

Mellen, Jeremiah 171 

Lucius 171 

Merrell, Dr. Charles F 156, 214 

Elias 52 

Milford, C. R 306 

Miller, Nathaniel 35, 37, 388 

Mills, Isaac 367 

John 20 

Timothy 367 

Miner, Amos 37. 42, 171 

Deming & Sessions 41 

Moore, Mrs. Schuyler 14 

Morgan, George P 200 

Seth 20 

& Daniels 200 

Morton, Gavin 172 

Thomas 171, 172 

Moscley, Daniel T 18. 148. 208 

Moses, Chester 281 

Henry 273 

Lucien 206 

& Huxtablc 195 

Molt, Arthur 170, 171, 36S 

Mrs. Lydia P 232. 368 

Munger, Dr., Sr 16, 17 



469 



x 



Newton, Adolphus .. ..118 

Northam, Alfred 269 

Nurse, (Sir) James 187 

Nye, Benjamin 20 

Henry S 308 

John M 20 

O. 

O'Kcefe (tailor) 17 

Oxlcy, Giarles 225 

P. 

Packwood, John 167, 305. 308 

Padclford, E. M 318 

Pardee, Amos 23, 24 

C, & Co 205, 206 

Charles 23, 24, 28, 40, 

187. 203, 208, 218, 254. 282, 320, 306 

Ebcnezer I JO, 200, 207 

Parcscll, Dr. 1 328 

Parker, Amasa 30 

Parsons, Chester 22, 23, 13s 

Elijah 68, 193 

Ives 71 

Spencer 197 

& Rust 197 

Patterson, Rev. A. C 212 

Mrs. Juliet C 392 

Pattison, VVm. H 156 

Peck. Holcomb 25 

Liva MS 

Noah 2S6 

Pellc, Peter 226 

Pendleton, Charles 171 

Charles, & Sons I7« 

Perry, Isaac \V 306, 3M. 332. 336 

Pctheram, B. & J 170 

Benjamin F 170, 37 < 

Phelps, Mr 40S 

Thomas B 285 

Pierce, Dr 326 

Judah 23 

Pierson, John 282 

Poor. Charles H 16, 3S. 201, 211 

Porter, Dr. Evelyn H 284. 3*7 

J. Gurdon....lOS. I97. 221, 284. 317. 332 

James 35. 36. 91. 281. 293, 336 

Dr. S.imiicl .14. 16. 17, 116, 191, 326. 40s 

& Jcwcit I3S 

& Pardee 205. ao6 



PACE. 

'•■•">^- M' 23 

Caleb \V 79 

E. C 368 

Francis M 317, 368 

Powell, Thomas 226 

William 226 

Pratt, Dr. William 326 

Preston, M. N 281 

Price, Elijah 367 

William 16, 17 

Purccll, Rev. F. J 288 

Putnam. Perley 36 

Porter & Leonard 41, 49 

Pynchon. George A 194 

R. 

Ray & Bannister 172 

Rcdfield, Justin 284 

Reed. Hiram 30, 118 

& Case 172 

Reynold^, A. R 171 

Rhoades, S. Porter 52, 320 

Samuel 5a 

Dr. Sumner 273 

& Burnett a02 

Robbins, Daniel C 367 

Roberts. Sylvester 35. 169,214 

Robertson, Samuel 30 

Roo.;evcIt, Frederick 113.320 

H. L 275 

Nicholas J 146. 219, 284 

Root. Henry IS 

James A 36. 306 

Joseph IS. 78 

Rowal, John 405 

Rust. Elijah P aga 

S. 

Sabins. Israel . ; 

Sackett. James 70, t ai 

S.indford. Edward 178 

John 183 

I^wis H 178. 183. 214, 306 

& Mnsriey 148 

Samuel*. Mr 16 

Sanger, Jedediah 168. ata. a6B 

Sartwell. Levi afi. 3a 

Selover. Isaac 33. 35. 7^, 113 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



Sessions, Amasa 23. 

Ebenezer 

Seymour, David 

Shailish, Jeremiah 

Shear, Fred 

Shepard, Edward 

John 

N. 306, 

Sherwood, Isaac 27. 28, 

John Milton 

John P 

Shotwell, Walter 

Sinclair & Hubbard 

Skaneateles Manufacturing Co 

Slade, William G 202. 

Smith, Amasa 14. 

John H 

Nehemiah 

Reuel 

Sidney 

Snook, Dr. John 149. 

John, Jr 149, 150, 

Thomas 

Stacey & Packwood 

Stansbury, George A 183, 193, 234, 

Stephens, Levi 

Stephenson, John C 

Stiles, B. F 



Tabcr, Mrs. William R 285 

Talcott, Daniel yg. 284. 306, 316 

Joseph 145 

R., & Co 195 

Richard 153, 168, 19s, 

200, 218, 284, 316, 367 

Sarah 284. 285 

& Allis 130 

& Gridley 130 

Talman, Charles 22, 171 

Taylor, Aaron 15, 78 

Nathaniel 286 

Thayer (artist) 33' 

Joel 151, i6g, 172, 208. 216, 306, 318 

Joel, & Co 30s 

Thompson, John 11, 12, 15 

Peter 79- IS4 

Thome, Elias 79, 208 

Obadiah 136. i93. 208 

Nichola.s 184 

William R 184 



PAGE. 

Tolles, Chester 291 

Townsend, W. J 203 

Turner, Newell 263. 306 

Tyler, James 219 

V. 

Valentine, Benjamin 316 

Van Dyck, George 169 

& Davey 169 

Van Etten, Jacob ig, 212 

Van Houghton, Tunis 20 

Vredenburg, Wm. J.... 8, 16, 26, 28, 31, 

32, 33- 34- 35. 48, 89, 113, 281, 287, 289 

W. 

Waldron, David 23 

Waller, Daniel 41 

John E 306, 371 

Warner, Dr 405 

Watson, Daniel 16, 17, 170. 186, 405 

John 14 

Watts, William 20 

Webb, Henry T 318 

Weeks, Forrest G. 172, 275, 277, 286, 367, 453 

Webster, Hon. Daniel 183 

& Bristol 405 

Welch, David 19, 20 

Samuel 20, 26 

Weston, Josiah 16 

Jonathan 16 

Wheadon, Samuel C 386 

Wheeler, Benedict & Co 304 

R. B 317 

Whitman, Miss Edey 16 

Whittelscy, Peter 317 

Wicks, George H 195, 371 

Wightman, Allen 285 

Wilkinson, Alfred 183 

Joab 70 

Willetts, Joseph C 306. 318 

Valentine 284 

William 208. 284 

William H 306 

William R 318 

Wolcott, B. S., & Co 197 

Butler S 197, 282, 284 320 

& Porter 130 

Worden, L. S.. & Co 169, 217 

Wright, A. M 318 

Wyckoff, C. C 13 



INDEX OF SUBIF.CTS. 



A. 

PAGE. 

Aboriginal Name of Skaneatelcs Lake. . 269 
Account-Books of Early Merchants. . .8, 388 

.\ccounts, Old io6 

Address of Red Jacket 244 

Address to Indians by Miss Stansbury. . 243 
Address to Indians by the Moravian 

Bishop 243 

Adventures Around the World, Re- 
markable 103 

Advertisement, Old 109 

Affair of Honor 1 10 

Agriculture of Skaneatcles 300 

" A Hundred Years Ago." poem 133 

" Ariel," Its Account of Skaneateles in 

1830 191 

Arthur's Experiment to obtain Kisses... 236 
Artist, Struggles of and Portraits by an. . 296 

Artist Thayer 77. 33' 

Attorney-General, Author's Criticism of 

Opinion of 44° 

Author's Adventures with the Legal Fra- 
ternity 440 

B. 

Ballrooms and Music "2 

Bank of Skaneateles 254 

Banks 253 

Bear Story 66 

" Beautiful Squaw " S' 

"Bees" 9 

Before Photographs were known 228 

Bill of Goods in 1806 3«. "17 

Bonding of Skaneateles 274 

Bonding of Skaneateles defeated.— Early 
Missions and Religious Denominations. 274 

Bounty I^nds to Soldiers 1 

Bowen Road «3. 88 

Boy Life on a Farm in Skaneateles 215 



Brick House, The Hccox... 

Brick first made by Nye 

Bricks, Kelsey's Stamped 

Bricks, Order for, in 1814 

Bridge, New 

British Prisoners 

Brother of Traitor Benedict Arnold a 
resident of Village 78, 

" Burdetle," Sir James Nurse, a Re- 
markable Character 

Burglary, A Sensational 

Burial-ground of 1846 

Burial-Place, Earliest 

Burial-Places, Early, and General His- 
tory 

Business, Early, in Skaneatcles 

Business Firms, Early 

Business in 1834 

Business Men in 1830 
Men in 184 1 



C. 

Canoe, Bark, found in mud 16 

Cardiff Giant, History of the 94 

Cardiff Giant and the Indians 101 

Carriage Factory 305 

Carriage-Shop, Seth & James Hall's 130 

Caterpillcrs. Old-Time, in 1708 92 

Celebrity of Mrs. Eliial«-lh T. Porter 

Beach i3b 

Cemetery, Evergreen 4J2 

Cemetery, 1 jkc View 258 

Cemetery. Lake View, and itj Inside Hi»- 

tory 4«8 

Ccmelery. Opposition to an Incorporated 

Public 355 

Census of Skaneaicle.* 301 

Central New York Electric Light and 

Power Company 253 



INDEX OF SUBJECTS. 



PAGE. 

Century's Ending, A Great 406 

Chair Factories 304 

Champ, Alfred, and the Civil War 438 

Chancery, Sale in, Copy of — Description 

of Part of Village 145 

Changes in Property Ownership and Es- 
tablishment of Libraries 309 

Child. First, born of Parents residing in 

Skaneateles 14 

Chipmunk Story by Sam Francis 221 

Church Diversion 367 

Churches 280 

Churches and Library 389 

" Circle of Industry," Thanks to 283 

Civil War, Draft during the 339. 347 

Civil War, Roll of Honor of Volunteers 

during the 349 

Civil War, Soldiers and Sailors who gave 

up their lives in the 359 

Coaches 29, 259, 273 

Coach. First, from Utica to Canandaigua. 47 

Coin, old One-Cent 8 

Cold Summer in 1816 92 

Collect Pond and Fitch's Steamboat 147 

Colored Man's Plaint 89 

" Columbia," Ode 335 

Community Place 175 

Conclusion 451 

Congregational Society 288 

Conveyance to F. G. Jewett 78 

Cooper-Shops 213 

Criticism of Opinion of Attorney-General. 440 

D. 

Dam, Breaking and Sunday Repairs.... 45 
Dam, Breaking and Sunday Repairs, An- 
other Version 85 

Dam, The First 16 

Dark Day, The 113 

Death, A Melancholy 207 

Decision against Water Works Company. 454 

Deer Skins, Manner of Dressing 62 

Defeat of the Attempt to bond Skane- 
ateles in behalf of a Railroad 274 

Defeat of the Skaneateles Water Works 

Company 74 

Description of Skaneateles, Earliest Re- 
corded, by Rev. T. Dwight 247 

Description of Skaneateles Village in 

1809 84 



PAGE. 

Description of the Village in 1842 296 

Description of Village by John J. Thomas 

in 1830 191 

De Zeng - Laphani - Padelford - Roosevelt 

Property, History of 309 

Diefendorf Families in this Town 159 

Discovery of the Plate and Description of 

Skaneateles in 1830 192 

Distillery 305 

Division of Marcellus 93 

Doctor, A Colored 70 

Doctor's Handbill 157 

Document discovered by the Author.... 431 

Draft during the Civil War 339, 347 

Drays, Home-Made 90 

Dress, Simplicity and Plainness of. ..285, 287 
Dryden, Groton, and Moravia Telegraph 

Company 253 

Duel, A Practical Joke no 

E. 

Earliest History, The i 

Earliest Industry in this Town 173 

Earliest Recorded Visit to Skaneateles 

Lake by Missionaries 3 

Early History 112 

Early History, Various Items 134 

Early Merchants 194, 366 

Early Physicians and Local History.... 326 

Early Pioneers II, 63 

Early Recollections of Thaddcus Ed- 
wards 167 

Early Reminiscences 107 

Early Settlers 212 

Early Settlers before 1803 and before 

1815 S3 

Early Settlers in Skaneateles 68 

Educational Sources and Early Schools. 229 

Edwards Family 114 

Elections in 1836 91 

Elevation of Skaneateles Lake 270 

Elm-Tree, The Large 32 

Engraving of Skaneateles in 1830 191 

Enrolment List of Skaneateles 339 

Enrolment of Ablc-Bodicd Men in Town 
of Skaneateles who were subject to 
Draft in the Civil War, with their 

Ages, and List of Drafted Men. ..339, 347 

Episcopal Missions 279 

Epitaph on Charles Oxley 225 



INDEX 



BJECTS. 



lACE. 

Epitaph, Proposed 149 

Erie Canal, its Effect on this Town.... 2.24 

Evergreen Cemetery 432 

Excitement, The First 85 

Execution of Louis XVI. and Marie An- 
toinette. Daniel Ludlow's Account of 

the 313 

Expedition to Australia in 1852 in Search 

of Gold 216 

F. 

Farmers' Daughters 84 

Fences and Buildings 301 

Fire Department, Origin of the Village. 332 

Fire. Great, in the Village in 1835 184 

Fires and Cooking 7 

First Baptist Society 285 

First Child born of Parents who were 

Residents of Skaneateles 14 

First Cuddeback, The 69 

First Events, etc 16 

First Industries in Town and Village. 

Commencing with the Village 168 

First National Bank 254 

First Organ 320 

First Resident of the Village 16 

First School 229 

First Schoolhousc erected 230 

First School taught in this Town 16 

First School under St. James' Church.. 230 

First Settler of Skaneateles 11, 83 

First Steamboat Excursion to the Head 

of the Lake, with Names of the Party. . 367 

First Steamboat on Skaneateles I^kc. . 77 

First Yacht 292. 3<59 

Fisherman, A Patient 71 

Fish, Young, placed in Skaneateles Lake. 223 

Flouring-Mills 304. 305 

Forest, A 85 

Forests, The Original, in this Town.... 86 

Foundry and Machine-Shop 304 

Fouricrism ^77 

"Four Sisters." The First Yacht 292. 369 

Fourth of July, 1831. Grand Celebration 

of <07 

Fourth of July, 1832, Celebration of 335 

Fourth of July, 1835, Celebration of 117 

Fragments of History 78. 79 

Friendj, Society of 284 



Gardener, .X . R4 

General Training Day . . 109 

Geology of Skaneateles agg 

Gin, Legend concerning a Jug of 34 

Glimpse of Skaneateles and its Surround- 
ings in 181 J 165 

God's .Vcre 132 

Goods, Bill of 117 

Goods, Original Bill 01. .31 

Graveyard, The First . 88 



H. 
Hamilton and Skaneateles Turnpike. .88, 91 

Haunted Tavern, Legend of 309 

Headquarters for Emigrating Families.. 13 

Historical Collections 247 

History, Fragments of 331 

History, Local, as elaborated by the 

Newspaper Press of Syracuse 408 

History, Official, of Skaneateles 306 

History of the Daniel C. Bobbins Place, 

now the Mingo Lodge 367 

History, The Earliest I 

" Hive," The, A Quaker School 247 

Horses, Use of, in Traveling 30, 1 19 

House divided and transported 317 

How a Wealthy Citizen was Swerved 

from his purpose of establishing a Free 

Public Library in Skaneateles 320 



L 

Illustration of the Uncertainty of Human 

Life 386 

Indian Massacre in Florida 362 

Indian Oratory 49 

Indian Queen Hotel 238 

Indians, Cardiff Giant and the 101 

Indians, Missionary Work among 241 

Indians, Reception, Addresses, and Re- 
plies 240 

Industries at Mottville, and Below 171 

Industries in the Town of Skaneateles 

Outside of the Village 170 

Inside History of I-ake View Cemetery, 
which has never before been made 

public 418 

Interesting Items 193 



INDEX OF SUBJECTS. 



PAGE. 

Introduction of Merino Sheep, Early 

Merchants, and Steamboat Excursions. 362 

Inventions by Miner 37. 46 

Inventions, Wonderful, of Grant Bram- 
ble 227 

Iroquois Indians. Journey to Philadel- 
phia 240 

J. 

Journey for Assistance. Woman's 21 

Journey through the Wilderness. .\ 

Woman's Remarkable 30. 120 

Judges' Traveling Party 89 

K. 

Kirkland, Dominie, Adventures of 49 

Kirkland, Rev. Samuel, Life and Mission- 
ary Work among the Indians 241 

Kisses obtained through Disguise 236 

Knocker, The Patent, a Wonderful In- 
vention 215 

L. 

Ladies' Aid Society during the Civil War. 386 
Lafayette, General, Visit of, to Skane- 

ateles 184 

Lake Bank, The 253 

Lake House, The 336 

Lake, Map of, the Outline of a Female. 138 

Lake Surroundings 138 

Lake View Cemetery and Skaneateles 

Lake 258 

Lake View Cemetery, Origin of 258 

Lake View Cemetery, Its Inside History. 418 
Lawyers, The Bible and Shakespeare 

concerning 448 

Legal Experience of E. N. Leslie 408 

Legal Fraternity, Author's Adventures 

with the 440 

Legal Right to Criticize 445 

Legend of the Haunted Tavern 309 

Leonard Family 82 

Leslie Memorial Windows 389 

Libraries 318 

Library Company of 1806 400 

Library, established by W. M. Beau- 
champ 318 

Library, Free Public, proposed as a Me- 
morial 320 

Library of Skaneateles and its Sphinx. . . 396 



Library of Skaneateles, Presentations to. 401 

Library, The First 120 

Log Houses 9 

Log Storehouse, The First 14 

Lord, Dr. H. R., His Report as " Secre- 
tary of the Navy " 294 

Lots laid out by Judge Sanger 85 

Ludlow, Daniel, Very Interesting His- 
tory of 312 

Ludlow's Account of the Execution of 

Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette.... 313 

M. 

Mabbitt's Mills 170 

Mail-Carriers and Stage-Coaches, The 

First Ill 

Mail Routes, Post Office 29 

Mail, The First 83 

Mandana 302 

Manufactories, etc 302 

Marcellus and Skaneateles Organized... 2 

Marcellus, Division of 23 

Marysville Woolen Factory 304 

Matches, Original 7, 370 

Medal presented to Red Jacket by George 

Washington 244 

Medicines, Simple 156 

Memorial Library, Proposed. . . .320, 401, 405 

Memorials in St. James' Church 389 

Memorials in the Presbyterian Church. 392 
Memorial Tablet of Soldiers and Sailors 

in St. James' Church 334 

Memorial Windows by Leslie 389 

Merchants and Mechanics in 1828 128 

Merchants in 1813 154 

Merchant, The First 15 

Meridian Time, Transmission of, by 

Telegraph 407 

Merino Sheep, Introduction of, into the 

United States 362 

Methodist Episcopal Church 286 

Methodist Episcopal Church of Mott- 

ville 288 

Military Lot No. 35. owner of 330 

Military Lots i 

Militia 91 

Miner, Amos, Remarkable History of. . ^7 

Mingo Lodge, History of 367 

Ministerial Items 62 

Miscellaneous Fragments of Early His- 
tory 79 



INDEX OF SUBJECTS. 



VACt. 

Missionaries, Earliest recorded Visit to 

Skaneatcles Lake by 3 

Missionaries, Record of Early 278 

Missions, Early, and Relipous Denomi- 
nations 278 

More Pioneers 52 

Mott, Lydia P., who conducted a Board- 
ing School Eighty Years ago 232 

Mottville 302, 368 

Mottville Burying-Ground 133 

Mottville Woolen Mill 304 

Mud Lake 393 

Municipal Ownership of a Water Plant. . 383 

N. 
Name, Aboriginal, of Skaneatelcs Lake. . 269 
Names of Persons who made Purchases 

up to 1828 compiled 388 

Names of Revolutionary Soldiers who 

were Original Owners of Lands in 

Town 2 

Newspaper Press of Syracuse on Local 

History 408 

Newspapers in Cayuga County, A List of 

Early 101 

Newspaper, The First 108 

O. 

Observations by a Tourist 394 

Offhand Sketch of the Village Fifty 

Years ago 218 

Official History of the Village of Skane- 
atcles 306 

Official Stenographer, Adventures with 

an 449 

One Hundred well-known Citizens 38O 

Opposition to an Incorporated Public 

Cemetery 255 

Organ, The First 320 

Owners, Original, of Lards in Town. ... 2 

P. 

Packwoftil Carriage Manufactory 167 

Paper-Mills 302, 304, 305 

Papers. Valuable Files of Local 333 

Peat Bog Speculation 272 

Peat, or Muck 370 

Peat Speculation, Another 273 

Pedlcr, Disappearance of a 309 



PACE. 

Pccnpack Neighborhood, Settlers from.. 212 

Pettis House and Henry .Vrnold 78 

Physicians, Early, in Vicinity of Village. 326 

Pillions 30. 120 

Pioneers, Continuation of the History of 

the as 

Pioneers, How they came 6, 63 

Pioneers, The 9, 63 

Pioneer Women 10 

Pleasure-Sailboat 394 

Pork Point, Origin of Name of 273 

Porter Family. Origin of the 116 

Potash, Principal Commercial Article.. 173 

Potashcrirs and other Manufactures. .15, 144 
Pounds. Shillings, and Pence, Official 

Definition of 8. 214 

Preface iii 

Presbyterian Church 392 

Presentations to the Library by the Au- 
thor 401 

Presidents of the Board of Village 

Trustees 306 

Pricct, Early 177 

Prices in 1825 227 

Propeller Ben Porter 228 

" Protest " against " Protracted Meet- 
ings." and Other Reminiscences 17S 

Protestant Episcopal Church. .^1 

Q. 

Quaker School, " The Hive " ^47 

Quakers, or Society of Friends 284 

R 
Real Estate Values. . 

Recollections, Business. .Tiio iii\cnti>jns. . iij 
Recollections. Early, by J. R. Kellogg, 

a8, 44. 49 

Recollections of Mrs. C J. Burnett. Sr. . 67 

Recollections of C. J. Burnett, Jr aij 

Rcro1|ection« of FH Tbrk 93 

■■ " ' .rds 70 

.ird».2i3. 367 

■■'■ 35 

K.-,-.,r.l-. 1 Mr l'...rlv . 91 

Red House i'-. 17 

Red Jacket. Address ■' i 244 

Red Jacket's Medal 244 

Regatta on the I -ike in i860 220 

Regattas Fifty Years Ago 293 



476 



INDEX OF SUBJECTS. 



PAGE. 

Relic of History 312 

Religious Denominations 278 

Revolutionary Soldiers and the Military 

Lots I 

Rhoades, S. Porter, Family 52 

Rise and Fall of Mercantile and Indu'^- 

trial Prosperity 173 

Roads 87 

Roll of Honor of Volunteers during the 

Civil War 349 

Roman Catholic Church 288 

Royal Presents to Mrs. Beach 3^7 

S. 

Sash and Blind Factory 304 

Sawmill 304 

Sayings and Doings of Olden Times, 

Interesting 70 

Schaneateles Religious Society. . .85, 131, 279 
Schoolhouse demolished my Sol Foster. . 71 
Schoolhouse, First, Erected in the Vil- 
lage 230 

Schoolhouses, Log ID 

Schools 229 

School, The First 229 

School, The First, taught in this Town. . 16 

Sea Letter by George Washington 137 

Select Schools 232 

Select School, Subscription for 231 

Servants, Old-Time 84 

Settlement of Skaneateles, Earliest Ac- 
tual 63 

Settlers, First Actual, in this County. .11, 83 

Settlers before 1803 and 1815 53 

Shepard Family, History of the 66 

Shepard Settlement 66, 167 

Sherwood's House 228 

Sidewalks, Clearing from Snow and Ice, 

A Skaneateles Invention 384 

Sign of the Indian Queen Tavern 177 

Sisters, The Three 142 

Situation of Skaneateles 298 

Skanadoah, Indian Chief, his Life and 

Oratory 49 

Skaneateles and Marcellus 2 

Skaneateles Anti-Slavery Society 361 

Skaneateles Community and its Pro- 
moter, John A. Collins 175 

Skaneateles Democrat, The Editor of. . 331 

Skaneateles, Description of 35, 302 

Skaneateles Educational Society 361 



P.-^GE. 

Skaneateles Falls Methodist Episcopal 

Church 288 

Skaneateles' First Settler 11 

Skaneateles High School 231 

Skaneateles in 1830 166 

Skaneateles Iron Works 251, 302 

Skaneateles Lake 166 

Skaneateles Lake, Aboriginal Name of. 269 
Skaneateles Lake, a Later Description.. 270 

Skaneateles Lake Park Company 252 

Skaneateles Lake, when first seen by the 

Pioneers, 1 793 267 

Skaneateles Library Association 318 

Skaneateles Library Company, The First 

one here, 1806 120 

Skaneateles Library Company, List of 

Subscribers 127 

Skaneateles Library, Presentation to.... 106 
Skaneateles Library, Presentations by the 

Author to 401 

Skaneateles Library Sphinx 396 

Skaneateles Religious Society. . .85, i^l, 279 

Skaneateles Savings-Bank 254 

Skaneateles Sketches in 1865 298 

Skaneateles, The Ariel's Description of, 

in 1830 191 

Skaneateles Water Works Company 250 

Skaneateles Water Works Company, its 

Inside History, and Decision against. 

371, 454 
Skaneateles Wood-Working Company. ; 252 

Sketch of the Village in 1850 218 

Slade's Ferry 202 

Smallpox in the Village 218 

Snow, How the System of Removing 

from Sidewalks Originated 384 

Snow Storm, A 318 

Society of Friends 284 

Society of Friends, Plainness of Apparel, 

28s, 287 
Soldiers and Sailors, Memorial Tablet of. 334 
Soldiers and Sailors of Skaneateles who 

gave up their Lives in the Civil War. . 359 

Soldiers in the Late War 358 

Soldiers who Originally Owned this 

Town 2 

Soundings of the Lake 138 

Spinning- Wheel, Improvement in.... 38, 46 
Stage and Passenger-Coach, Original, 

before Railroads ill 



INDEX OF sUi-iJiii. /.>. 



PACE. 

Stagc-Coaches 29, 259, 273 

Stages and Stage-Drivers 117 

State Street first opened 231 

Steamboat Excursion, First, to the Head 

of the Lake 367 

Steamboat of Fitch on Oillect Pond 147 

Steamboat of Roosevelt on the Passaic 

River 147 

Steamboat on Skaneateles Lake, The 

First 77 

St. James' Church 134. 282, 389 

Storehouse. The First Log 14 

Storj-, .\ Strange / . . 162 

Strange, Romantic, and Interesting Story. 162 
Subscribers to the Skaneateles Library 

Company 127 

Subscription by Leading Citizens for a 

Select School 231 

Subscription List for a Sexton 89 

Subscription to pay for the First Organ 

for St. James' Church 320 

Sunday-School Celebration, 1832 335 

Sunday Surprises 367 

Supreme Court, U. S., Decision of 454 

T. 

Tavern, .\n Old Log 77 

Tavern, Haunted 309 

Tavern on Seneca Turnpike 37° 

Taverns ISS 

Taverns, Town Meetings held in 308 

Teasel, a Skaneateles Industry 248 

Teasel Industry, Various Corporations, 

and Banks 248 

"The Last Broadside," Poem 338 

"The Maples of Mott Cottage," Poem.. 237 

" The Stone Man," Poem 96 

Three Sisters, The 142 

" Through the Deep Wilderness," Poem. 63 
Tinder-Box. Description and Use of the 

Original 7. 370 

Tourist's Observations while passing 

through the Village 394 

Town Meetings, held in Various Tav- 
erns 308 

Town of Skaneateles was bonded for 
$250,000 in behalf of the New York 
Western Midland Railroad, and the 

Fraud was Defeated and by whom 274 

Trading- Place, Skaneateles the most .\t- 
fr.ictivc. in the Nineteenth Century . . 88 



I'AGE. 

Traitor .Vrnuld's Brother a Resident. .78. 112 
Traveler on his way to Niagara describes 

the Village in 1804 247 

Traveler's Description of Village of 

Skaneateles in 1830 166 

Trees, Variety of 86 

" Trowbridge Girls " 45, 50 

Tuition Paid 86 

Turnpike, Hamilton and Skaneateles. .88, 91 
Two Peculiar Characters 226 



U. 

Uncertainty of Human Life, Illustration 
of 386 

V. 

Village described 35 

Village Plots 8s 

Village Property rather low in i8ao 228 

Volunteers during the Civil War. Roll 

of Honor 349 

W. 

War of 1812. Incident during the 175 

War of 1812, Incident of II3 

War of 1812, Repulsing the British dur- 
ing the 113 

Washington. George. Sea Letter by 137 

Water-Lime 93 

Water Plant, Municipal Ownership. .383. 454 
Water Works Company, Decision against. 454 
Webster. Daniel. Visit of, to Skane- 
ateles 183 

Wheel-Head Manufactory 9' 

Who were here in 1803 35 

Why has Skaneateles Retrograded? 76 

Willow Glen Woolen Mills 30S 

Woman's Journey for .Xssislance 21 

Woman's Remarkable Journey through 

the Wilderness 30. «» 

Women of Early Days 10 

Wood-Ashes. The F-irlicst Industry.... 173 

Y. 

Yacht. A Notable 294 

Yachting. Sketches, and nm.i.il lllvlory. 289 
Yacht. The First Re.il .289 

Year aooo. In the. . . 407 

Years .-Vgo in Yachtinw J04 



AUG 27 1902 



,C0fYOEl.T0r,AT0.V. 
A'.JG. 28 1902 



JBRARY OF CONGRESS 



014 221 074 5 



